EU pumps $120 million into fight against bird flu

The European Union has promised to increase it's budget in the fight against bird flu to 100 million euros ($120.9 million), the figure includes an extra 20 million euros for research funds into avian and pandemic influenza.

As the lethal virus continues its spread across Turkey killing four children in its wake this month, the European Commission has committed the extra funds from its research budget, and is calling for proposals to fill the gaps in research into a disease which is creeping closer to Europe.

This announcement came as a donors' conference in Beijing opened where the World Bank is hoping to raise $1.2 billion to help fight the virus.

Bird flu has to date killed 79 people since late 2003, mostly in Asia, and infected at least 150 others.

The intention is to use the EU money for research into pandemic influenza vaccines, a better understanding of the influenza virus and strengthening support for surveillance, says the Commission.

Together with the EU, the World Bank and the Chinese government are sponsoring the Beijing conference.