A panel of poultry experts in Beijing yesterday approved a disinfectant that researchers said can "thoroughly and swiftly" kill the deadly avian influenza virus, and is expected to be available on the marketplace soon.

According to a report by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and several other government agencies, CAIQ-1 is the first of its kind that can be directly used on domestic fowl, rather than on empty coops only.

"It is highly effective, poison free, environmentally friendly and not an irritant," said the report.

Developed by the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, researchers said it can kill H5N1, the virus behind recent outbreaks of bird flu, as well as Newcastle disease virus and other infectious avian pathogens.

Researchers said the new disinfectant does not leave any harmful residue in treated poultry.

"The innovation lies in that it uses the reaction of an acid and an alkali to kill microorganisms," said Tian Bo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

There have been four reported H5N1 outbreaks in western China this year: two in Qinghai Province reported in May and July, one in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reported in June and one in Tibet Autonomous Region reported in August.

(China Daily August 24, 2005)