A TEAM of scientists in Southampton is on the verge of a world-first breakthrough that could help stop a full-blown global flu pandemic.

Four genetic experts in Millbrook are working round the clock to create a new test that will confirm if a person has the killer swine flu virus within two hours.

Current tests take up to two days to confirm a diagnosis, allowing the contagious virus to spread uncontrollably from human-to-human.

The rapid swab kit will mean sufferers can be quarantined immediately and receive anti-viral treatment – potentially saving lives and slowing the spread.

“It’s not a cure, but it is a really important weapon in the fight against this beast,” Dr Jim Wicks, one of PrimerDesign’s founding directors, told the Daily Echo last night.


View Swine Flu in a larger map

Laboratories all over the world are racing to create exactly the same test, but the team, based at Millbrook Technology Campus, is confident they will be first.

“We are pretty certain we will be the first, there is no sign of anybody gettting as far ahead as we are with this,” Dr Wicks said.

The 30-year-old revealed they hope to have the kits ready for shipment next week – possibly as early as Monday or Tuesday.

An order for 10,000 kits has already been received from health authorities in Mexico, where 168 people have so far died, and Spain, the worst affected European country.

Daily Echo: See today's paper for more on this story