Virus trap could help prevent flu

Scientists have developed a 'flu trap' that can capture the virus - and prevent the spread of infection.

The so-called trap is a fabric coating for masks and air filters, which isolates the viral particles responsible for influenza.

The technology was developed by scientists at University of Manchester, and is set to be brought to market by biotec company Virustatic.

The device mimics the carbohydrate structures on the surfaces of cells that line the esophagus - also known as the food pipe- and the respiratory airways.

Paul Hope, director of Virustatic, said: 'It's a whole new preventative approach to disease and if implemented could be transformative.

'We're now at the stage where we're looking for strategic partners to take this technology forwards in terms of developing new products.'

Scientists have developed a so-called 'flu trap' - a fabric coating for masks and air filters - that can

The technology was developed after the University of Manchester team found a way to anchor sugary glycoproteins to carbon cloth.

Then, they discovered how to anchor them to less expensive materials, including cotton.

The team found that the molecules could capture and trap over 99 per cent of the flu virus that came into contact with them.

Dr Ian Rowles, of University of Manchester, said: 'This has been an exciting collaboration with Virustatic, and our research does indeed show that this technology can slow the spread of flu viruses.

'We hope that eventually we'll be able to tackle all pathogens by using this technology. So watch this space.'

The team also hopes to develop the technology further, to capture other viruses, including those responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

It comes as scientists from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill recently warned that there could soon be an outbreak of a new virus that is similar to SARS.

The new virus, called WIV1-CoV, may induce the same results in humans as SARS - starting out with flu-like symptoms and accelerating rapidly to pneumonia.

The 2003 outbreak SARS started in Asia - but soon spread to two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

The outbreak infected 8,000 people - and claimed nearly 800 lives.

The new virus is very similar to SARS - as it originates from the same Chinese horseshoe bats as SARS and also binds to the same receptor inside the human body.

Dr Vineet Menachery said: ‘This virus may never jump to humans, but if it does, WIV1-CoV has the potential to seed a new outbreak with significant consequences for both public health and the global economy.’

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