Flu Viruses Now Resistant to Tamiflu, page 1

Flu Viruses Now Resistant to Tamiflu

canadianpress.google.com

TORONTO - Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory is reporting a high level of Tamiflu resistance among H1N1 viruses circulating so far this flu season in this country, one of a number of labs to see a phenomenon that is unsettling influenza experts.

Nearly 10 per cent of H1N1 viruses tested so far this year by the Winnipeg lab are resistant to the drug, a cornerstone of pandemic planning for many countries around the globe.

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Related News Links:
www.nytimes.com
www.cidrap.umn.edu
www.undispatch.com
www.timesonline.co.uk

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Disturbing news out of Canada suggests that flu viruses are gaining ever more resistance to antivirals, specifically Tamiflu.

Tamiflu is the leading antiviral for treatment of the flu and is considered essential for the prevention of an H5N1 pandemic, should avian flu ever transition into a human-to-human transmissive form.

The ability for viruses to mutate plays havoc with the healthcare industry's ability to provide useful treatments against the spread of influenza.

Given the latest developments, I am concerned about the government's ability to handle a potential pandemic H5N1 outbreak. Our current prevention program relies heavily on Tamiflu and our vaccination protocols may be ineffective in the event that H5N1 continues to mutate.

What lies behind this sudden increase in resistance? Are these viruses evolving beyond our ability to treat? Does our continued indulgence of antibiotics in milk and other foodstuffs have a negative role to play in the battle for drug treatments? Is the creation of a superflu (avian or otherwise) inevitable?

canadianpress.google.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

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