A more effective test for identifying bird flu in humans is now available across the UK, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) announced.
The test detects the H5 type, of which the deadly strain H5N1 has caused 62 deaths worldwide, as well as normal seasonal flu.
It means experts in the UK will be able to use a single test to distinguish between flu types.
Dr Martin Curran, who developed it in his role as head of the HPA's molecular diagnostic unit, said the methodology was now available to regional laboratories and would replace the current H5 test.
It involves a throat or nasal swab but people must meet a strict criteria such as contact with birds in the Far East, he said.
"Although the risk of someone returning to the UK with H5 is quite small, it is crucial that we have tests available in case we do see a suspect case," he added.
"The added bonus is that this test can also provide laboratories with information on seasonal flu strains, which is essential to our knowledge of how flu is circulating in the community.
"The test was used in the recent outbreak of avian flu in Norfolk where we identified a poultry worker suffering from conjunctivitis caused by an avian virus."
The HPA said the updated test will be used for flu surveillance this winter.
Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the HPA added: "We do not expect to see many suspect cases of avian flu this winter; however this ability to test more efficiently for both infections is reassuring."
