SWINE FLU – Rise of the Anti-Viral Resistance
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While much of the world’s media obsesses about death tolls from the swine flu pandemic, more evidence has emerged today of what is arguably the more concerning trend: antiviral resistance. The World Health Organisation has just reported that it has now been informed by health authorities in Denmark, Japan and Hong Kong of the appearance of H1N1 viruses which are resistant to Tamiflu.
The good news: The resistant viruses, detected through laboratory testing, have been found in three patients who subsequently recovered after mild flu symptoms. All three responded to Relenza (zanamivir). The cases also appear to be sporadic, with no signs yet of a Tamiflu-resistant strain of H1N1 circulating in the community
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The bad news: While cases of resistance are not unexpected (common seasonal flu can do the same, and a Tamiflu-resistant strain emerged last year and is now widely circulating), it hints at what might come, and the risk that the UK’s stockpile of tamiflu — so far successful in treatment — might be rendered ineffective…
WHO has recommended that, on the basis of risk assessment of no evidence of widespread antiviral resistance, there should be no changes to clinical treatment guidance, and antiviral drugs remain a key component of the public health response when used as recommended. So treatment strategies the world over stay as is, for the time being…
Source from Timeonline.
