Earlier, Russian scientists had confirmed first human cases of A(H5N8) NOVOSIBIRSK, May 23. /TASS/. Russia’s Vektor State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology has created a vaccine strain that can be used as a vaccine against the A(H5N8) influenza, also known as the bird flu, the center’s chief Rinat Maksyutov has told TASS. "In March, we used reverse genetics technology to create a vaccine strain that can be used as a vaccine against H5N8. If necessary, this strain can be promptly handed over to Russian production facilities, to develop a vaccine with the help of existing technologies. The prototype of a testing kit has also been developed," he said on the sidelines of the New Knowledge educational marathon.