DuPont Steps Up Efforts to Help Control Spread of "Bird Flu" Outbreak in Asia Pacific

WILMINGTON, Del. and SUFFOLK, England,  January 28, 2004  —  To help farmers and governments battle Asia Pacific's current avian influenza outbreak, DuPont today announced it has stepped up efforts to supply a range of disinfectants including DuPont™ Virkon® S to help prevent the "bird flu" from spreading. In addition, DuPont and its regional partners in Asia are providing biosecurity control training to the governments of critically affected nations in the region.

To date, eight people in Asia have reportedly died from the current "bird flu" outbreak, which now has been found in 10 Asian nations with yesterday's confirmations in Laos and China. Scientists believe people can get the disease through contact with affected birds.

Tens of millions of poultry across Asia have been infected in recent weeks, prompting the mass slaughter of chickens to contain the virus. South Korea alone has slaughtered 24 million chickens and ducks.

In an effort to help slow the spread of avian influenza, DuPont business Antec International has increased supplies of Virkon® S disinfectant into the Asia Pacific region. Globally regarded as among the most effective antiviral disinfectant agents available, Virkon® S works as a preventive measure, enhancing sanitary conditions of livestock areas and helping to prevent avian influenza from spreading. During last year's avian influenza outbreak in the Netherlands, Virkon® S was the disinfectant of choice purchased by the Dutch government to help prevent the "bird flu" from spreading. Virkon® S was also used during the 1999 outbreak in Italy.

DuPont and its local partners also will be providing biosecurity training in Asia – informing farm staff, veterinarians and government officials of key preventive biosecurity control measures to minimize the spread of avian influenza in the future. Biosecurity procedures on farms include vehicle disinfection, farm border controls, and rigorous disinfection measures.

"For more than 200 years, DuPont has been delivering innovations and 'know-how' that make people's lives safer and better," said DuPont Safety and Protection Group Vice President Ellen Kullman. "As a global science company, DuPont is pleased to assist during this time of need, and – most of all – to give hope to farmers and others who have been devastated by the outbreak."

Part of the DuPont Safety & Protection growth platform, United Kingdom-based Antec International is a leading biosecurity company providing human and animal health emergency disease control. Antec products are used in more than 100 countries to protect humans, animals and food supplies from diseases such as avian influenza and Foot and Mouth Disease.

DuPont Safety & Protection is focused on finding solutions to protect people, property, operations and the environment by leveraging and expanding 202 years of DuPont experience as one of the safest companies in the world; its recognized excellence in science and technology; and its knowledge of key markets. DuPont is dedicated to using its science and technology to provide environmentally responsible clean and disinfect technologies for the prevention of disease and to improve productivity in the food, healthcare, household, institutional and industrial markets.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

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01/28/04

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