FDA approves new flu test

The US has approved a new test to diagnose human flu infections, including a deadly strain of bird flu.

Countries are currently stockpiling vaccines and putting emergency procedures in place to ward against a pandemic, which the World Health Organization has classified as a "serious" threat.

The device was given the green light by the Food and Drug Administration on September 30th, reported the American Hospital Association (AHA)

It uses a sample from a patient's throat or nose to detect the flu virus and recognise what strain it is.

Results are available in four hours and will be used by US government agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinics for diagnosing flu this autumn.

Health and human services secretary Mike Leavitt told the AHA: "The test allows us to better support laboratories on the front line of influenza testing in the United States and abroad."

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