In 2008 Russia to supply Belarus with equipment for bird flue diagnostic labs

By the end of the year Russia will supply five kits of equipment worth $750,000 for the bird flue diagnostic laboratories of Belarus, Leonid Titov, the director of the research institute of epidemiology and microbiology, told reporters April 17. According to him, a kit costs $150,000. The equipment will be delivered to all regional labs apart for the Gomel oblast where the lab is fully equipped. Leonid Titov said that the equipment can be used to diagnose not only bird flue but also other viruses of dangerous infectious diseases and also to determine GM products. The equipment is made in Russia and other foreign countries. According to Leonid Titov, this is going to be cutting-edge equipment. Russia’s technical aid to Belarus is provided within the framework of Russia’s obligations to supply the CIS countries. Belarus is a transit country on the way of migrating wild birds who are the main carrier of bird flue. Equipping Belarusian diagnostic centers brings benefits to the two countries, first of all, to Russia, as timely diagnostics can prevent the penetration of the virus into Russia and other neighboring states,” Leonid Titov said.