-
The World Health Organisation (WHO) logo is seen at its headquarters in Geneva - Source: Reuters -
Related
The first H1N1 infection found to be resistant to the antiviral
drug Tamiflu represents an isolated case with no current
implications for public health, the World Health Organisation (WHO)
said.
The United Nations agency has declared a global pandemic is
underway from the virus known as swine flu which has so far been
treatable with Tamiflu, made by Roche.
WHO spokesman Dick Thompson said that the discovery of a patient in
Denmark whose infection did not respond to the drug, revealed by
the Swiss company and Danish officials on Monday, did not amplify
the severity of the virus.
"This is an isolated case. At this time, there is no public health
implication. But we must remain alert as the virus can change at
any time and we must not be complacent," he said.
Officials say the patient is now well and no further contagion with
the resistant virus was detected.
Resistance to Tamiflu has been previously documented in the deadly
bird flu virus H5N1 and seasonal H1N1 flu, Thompson said.
"We need to monitor the virus (H1N1) continuously," he said, adding
that the WHO's global influenza surveillance network linking
laboratories in 97 countries would keep monitoring it.
"WHO is not changing its recommendations for the use of
antivirals," Thompson added, referring to the global body's advice
to its 193 member states.
The WHO has previously said that the H1N1 virus is sensitive to a
class of antiviral drugs which includes Tamiflu, known generically
as oseltamivir, and Relenza by GlaxoSmithKline, known generically
as zanamivir.
Denmark's State Serum Institute said, when making the announcement
on Monday, that it was expected that the strain would at some point
show resistance to Tamiflu.
It said that while the patient was found to be infected with a
virus strain that had mutated to a form resistant to Tamiflu, the
alternative drug Relenza, which is inhaled, remained an effective
treatment.
"The person is well now and no further contagion with the resistent
virus has been detected," it said in a statement.
