The land-locked country is in the first stage of the study, having injected 3,000 ducks and 5,000 chickens in two poultry farms in Vientiane with a trial vaccine.

"We are now closely monitoring the effectiveness of the vaccine to see if it can produce immunity in the birds," said Somphanh Chanphengxay, deputy director of Laos' National Avian and Human Influenza Coordination Office.

"The big concern is that the vaccine might cause a mutation in the virus," said Somphanh.

Vietnam persuaded Laos to join the trail months ago after the neighbouring country was hit by H5N1 bird-flu outbreaks in 2004 and this year.

Somphanh said the second stage of the experimental would involve injecting the poultry with a stimulant. The final results will be available in a few months.

Laos needs assistance from Asean countries like Vietnam and Indonesia that have experience using poultry vaccines, said Somphanh.

Extra research was required to undertake the trial in Laos due to the country's different environment and poultry farming methods, said Somphanh.

Somphanh added that only 20 per cent of the poultry raised in Laos were in managed farms with the restbeing raised in open areas.

Laos suffered bird-flu outbreaks in January 2004 and July this year resulting in culls of 150,000 and 30,000 birds, respectively.

There have been no reports of human infection in the country so far.

Strategic plans to prevent the disease and maintain a monitoring system have been put in place until 2010, said Somphanh.

Lao authorities recently stepped up preventive measures such as public awareness campaigns, as it is widely believed the virus could re-emerge in the upcoming winter months.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

 The Nation

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