SINGAPORE, June 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Singapore has found a new test to detect the H5 and H7 virus subtypes of Avian Influenza (AI) or bird flu, according to a statement by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on Thursday.

    The AVA said that using the Polymerase Chain Raction (PCR) test,the waiting time to accurately diagnose these subtypes has been drastically shorten from three days to within seven hours.

    The traditional Drectigen Test, which takes up three days to diagnose these subtypes, is only able to detect flu viruses as a group and not by specific virus subtypes, but the new test will act as a "trigger" to determine whether action such as culling chickens needs to be taken.

    "Once a H5 or H7 subtype of AI is confirmed by the PCR test in any of the local poultry farms, the poultry in all the farms will be culled and safely disposed of," the AVA said, adding that "Similarly, upon detection of H5 and H7 subtypes of AI in import consignments, affected regions will be suspended from exporting live birds and poultry products to Singapore."

    While assuring that Singapore remains free from bird flu, the AVA said that it would continue to maintain vigilance to keep the disease out of the island state, which culled 5,000 healthy chickens in February this year to test its readiness should an outbreak of bird flu occur. Enditem¡¡