HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Most recent scientific studies about the bird flu virus strain H5N1 in Vietnamand other countries have become more practical, with an ultimate aim to stamp out and prevent the disease, a local virologist said here Thursday.

    "All researches in Vietnam and in some other countries are centering on specific matters, epidemiology, for example. They areused to containing the current outbreaks," said Nguyen Tien Dung from the National Institute for Veterinary Research on the sidelines of the ongoing 2nd Regional Meeting on Avian Influenza Control in Animals in Asia.

    Vietnam is focusing its bird flu-related research on the circulation of H5N1 in poultry, especially waterfowls, risk factors to put forth best preventive measures, appraisal of diagnosis methods, possibilities of using vaccines for fowls and humans, and production of antigens and antibodies to monitor the virus's circulation, he said.

    "Our institute is appraising methods for diagnosing bird flu inthe search of the best way. Currently, Vietnam uses the PCR methodcombined with others such as clinical and pathological observations for accurate and quick results," Dung said.

    Vietnam has also embarked on bird flu research regarding molecular biology which has drawn great attention of many developed countries, he said, noting that "such research is very costly."

    Vietnam is willing to exchange experiences with foreign countries and international organizations, and hopes to receive their assistance in terms of training and equipment, the virologist said.

    "We'd like to exchange scientific findings and enjoy training courses designated for young virologists from all countries, especially those that are in the same bird flu situation, like Thailand," he stressed.

    The institute has had smooth cooperation with foreign laboratories and hospitals, including those in the United States and Chinese Hong Kong, to probe into such issues as looking for H5N1 in pigs, he added.

    At closed-door sessions on Thursday, up to 150 delegates from over 20 countries and regions to the three-day regional meeting, which opened here on Wednesday, focused their discussions on scientific advances of bird flu research, especially animal health,socio-economic analysis and rehabilitation and public health issues.

    The meeting is co-organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization and theVietnamese government. The last meeting was held in Bangkok, Thailand on Feb. 26-28, 2004.

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