Scientists Find Lead in Bird Flu Vaccine

In the first break in the deadly bird flu epidemic, an international team of researchers using antibodies from survivors of the Vietnamese strain of the disease were able to prevent it from developing in mice, and to neutralize those already infected.

Researchers were particularly pleased that the treatment was effective if administered up to 72 hours after infection.  While there's no guarantee it will work as a human vaccine, "Nevertheless, we are encouraged by the broad neutralising activity of these antibodies in the lab and the moderate doses required,"  said the Swiss scientist whose lab isolated the antibodies. (More avian flu stories.)