Drug resistant H1N1 no major change in virus: WHO

	Tweet

Tamiflu resistance in some H1N1 patients with badly weakened immune systems does not seem to reflect a major change in the virus’ susceptibility to the frontline drug, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday.

Nine people in Britain and the United States developed a Tamiflu-resistant form of swine flu while being treated in hospital mainly for blood cancers, said WHO flu expert Keiji Fukuda.

“We don’t know the full answer. But it is more likely that we are not seeing a change, a major shift in the epidemiology or in the properties of these viruses with regard to oseltamivir resistance,” he told a weekly news conference.

He said Tamiflu, known generically as oseltamivir and made by Switzerland’s Roche, was effective when used correctly and early.

About 75 cases of oseltamivir-resistant viruses have been reported worldwide in recent months, mostly isolated cases which have arisen after preventive treatment with the drug, he said.

“Right now we do not see any evidence of a large impact in immuno-compromised people with milder forms and we do not see a large impact in HIV-infected populations,” he said.

FLU TO CONTINUE FOR WEEKS

Swine flu is expected to infect more people in the northern hemisphere in the next weeks before there is a downturn, but is less prevalent in the southern hemisphere, Fukuda said.

“… it’s still too early to say whether we are seeing peaking of activity in the northern hemisphere. Again, we see differences on a country by country basis,” he said.

H1N1 has killed at least 6,770 people, according to the WHO. Most people suffer mild symptoms and recover without special treatment.

Some serious side effects have occurred after inoculation, but mostly “we have seen that the serious events are not related to the pandemic vaccine”, Fukuda said.

In Canada, six people had severe allergic reactions after vaccination, but all recovered. Canadian provinces have stopped using a particular batch of GlaxoSmithKline Plc vaccine.

“As we understand, none of this vaccine was distributed outside Canada,” Fukuda said. “All of the unused doses of vaccine have been put on hold, that is they are not being used at this point while investigations go on.”

---
* Drug-proof flu hits some with suppressed immune systems

* But seems to pose no threat to those with HIV

* Flu expected to continue for weeks in northern hemisphere

By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA (Reuters)

RELATED STORIES:
Anti-Depressant Drugs Can Double Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding   How to Prevent Morphine ‘Tolerance’   US drug importation report delayed, Thompson says   E-prescribing Systems Can Boost Drug Cost Savings   Safe drug imports could be difficult - report   Aldara cream treats skin damage from sun   Antibiotic That Appears To Control Phobias May Also Be Useful In Treating Addiction   Obesity emerges as risk factor in severe flu   Canada health panel says Vioxx pain drug safe enough   Canada’s first prescription drug atlas maps billions in spending   Buying drugs online can be risky - report   Antioxidants may protect against Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tick-borne illness

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]