Australia starts H1N1 flu vaccine trials

ADELAIDE, Australia: The world's first human trials of a H1N1 flu vaccine have begun in Australia, drug company officials said yesterday, with the aim of controlling the virus that has so far killed more than 700 worldwide.

Two biotechnology companies have started injecting adult volunteers in the southern city of Adelaide with their vaccines. Adelaide-based Vaxine began trials on Monday with 300 subjects, and Melbourne's CSL has 240 people in its seven-month trial, which started yesterday. The companies say their trials are the first tests of a swine flu vaccine on humans.

At least 41 people have died in H1N1 flu-related illness in Australia, which is well into its winter flu season.