New Zealand scientists imports H5N1 virus

New Zealand scientists have brought the deadly H5N1 birdflu virus into the country to help identify the virus if we have suspected cases here.

The dangerous substance is being stored in the country's highest security laboratory near at Wallaceville near Wellington and will be used by scientists to test suspected cases here.

Wallaceville manager Joseph O'Keefe says the sample will be used as a reference to test for the virus.

"It's been imported here from Australia so scientists can rule out suspected cases here."
 
"We only brought in about a teaspoon full. That's really all we need. We will be growing it up so we will be producing a small amount more than we need to do the testing."

The virus is so lethal that no cameras were allowed in to film it. It is stored in vials and then locked inside a freezer

Staff must wear special suits while in the area and shower after leaving to ensure they don't carry traces of it. out. But O'Keefe says they are in little real danger.

"There really is a minimal risk. Obviously when you are dealing with a dangerous agent there will be a risk, but the staff are very well trained."

Although bird flu has spread quickly among birds species around the world there is still no evidence it can pass from human to human.

Experts say it is likely an outbreak in New Zealand would begin in waterfowl and birds with suspected infections of the H5N1 virus are tested at Wallaceville.

Biosecurity expert Ron Thornton says the H5N1 sample is important because it will be used so scientists know what they are looking for when they test for bird flu.

"If we don't know that they are not H5N1 we won't be able to rule it out, and that means that we won't be able to respond appropriately."

If bird flu hit here the Ministry of Health estimates that about $1.5 million people would become ill and 33,000 would die.