Some Flu Cases Resist Flu Drug Tamiflu

Jan. 31, 2008 -- The World Health Organization and European health officials note cases, mainly in Norway, of a flu virus that resists the flu drug Tamiflu.

Keep these three points in mind:

• Tamiflu still works against other flu viruses.
• Other drugs can prevent or treat Tamiflu-resistant flu.
• Tamiflu isn't the flu vaccine. Flu vaccines remain the single best way to prevent influenza.

Norwegian health officials notified European countries and the WHO earlier this week about cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 flu virus.

As of today, European health officials have tested 437 samples of the H1N1 virus and found that 59 samples -- 13.5% -- from nine nations resisted Tamiflu.

In the U.S., the CDC has found that 5% of the H1N1 flu viruses they have tested resist Tamiflu.

"It is possible that the resistant strain will not become more common in other countries," state the WHO and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. "Careful monitoring will be required throughout the rest of the season to follow the situation globally."

The Tamiflu-resistant flu doesn't appear to be worse than other types of flu. And just like other types of flu, Tamiflu-resistant flu can pass from person to person, so avoid contact with people who have the flu, and practice good hygiene (such as washing your hands) to reduce flu risk.

Flu season is well under way, but it's not too late to get a flu vaccine, if you haven't done so already.