Killer flu H1N1 resistant to Tamiflu and flu jab vital

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ONE of the killer influenza strains heading to Australia this winter is almost totally resistant to the only anti-viral tablet that can treat it - Tamiflu. This means having a vaccination may be the only way for many to beat the flu this year.

Just 10 years after the breakthrough flu drug hit the market the virus has fought back.
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A study in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association found 98.5 per cent of the H1N1 influenza virus circulating in the US is now resistant to the antiviral drug Tamiflu.
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The H1N1 form of influenza accounted for one in five flu infections in the United States between September 2008 and February 2009.
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. Z* F3 X! O4 ^" fAnd four patients with this drug resistant flu died in the United States another two patients with the drug resistant flu died in the Netherlands.

- K- h8 c5 z9 X3 uAustralia's expert Influenza Vaccine Committee has asked that the H1N1 strain be included in the 2009 flu vaccination available to people here.
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The drug company which manufactures Tamiflu, Roche, says there is no evidence that the Tamiflu resistant virus results in more severe illness or that it is more easily transmitted.

And it says the drug is still fully active against other types of influenza.
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In the last 30 years influenza H3N2 has been the main strain circulating in Australia, the company says.
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+ R% r1 x( I3 M) iThe World Health Organisation estimates around 500,000 people die every year from flu related health complications.
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9 g; S3 T! O$ ~& L% R" V  ^7 zBefore the 2007-08 season the level of resistance to Tamiflu among circulating flu viruses in the United States was less than 1 per cent.

$ B3 K. T/ h$ c/ w+ [) D- Q- }By March last year 16 per cent of H1N1 influenza viruses tested had become resistant to Tamiflu, now 98.5 per cent of this strain of the flu is resistant.
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. i8 A+ F, s4 l9 N/ L9 D3 c8 C+ LThe H1N1 virus is still susceptible to the flu medication Relenza but this inhaled product is not suitable for children, those with asthma or breathing problems or those with milk allergies.

6 {0 D# r5 P6 m- LThe doctors who carried out the American study say it is unclear how H1N1 viruses had changed and become able to circulate between humans so successfully.

( H) x2 i: F" @( p# B7 yThe mutation of this virus is of great concern because it has implications for a possible outbreak of the even more deadly birdflu some strains of which are also showing resistance to tamiflu.

9 j" t9 e$ [) j$ K1 W; s5 tThe Australian Government has millions of doses of taxpayer funded Tamiflu stockpiled to use in the fight against a birdflu outbreak.

Tamiflu, taken in pill form, is the most commonly used flu treatment drug.

! y: |8 r9 R& U4 m4 AIt has to be taken within 48 hours of the first onset of flu symptoms and studies show it speeds recovery from the flu by 30 per cent or 1.3 days.

6 L7 ~/ x; \  m" n9 CIt is suitable for adults and children aged over a year and requires a doctors prescription but is not subsidised by our drug subsidy scheme.
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It won't work to fight off colds or other viruses.

- R+ \) o+ ]) n: `Relenza is the only other flu medication available.
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0 K# h1 X, Y" i( T: PIt too has to be taken within 48 hours of symptoms appearing and has to be inhaled so it can be delivered direct to the lungs.More than 500 Australians a week are having flu vaccinations in time for the onset of winter.
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* W- Z, G# p: _: z/ ?% o! D6 g"We were early for vaccines this year, because last year's northern hemisphere vaccine was the same as the southern hemisphere - so we got a bit of a flying start," said Dr Tony Gherardin, from the Travel Doctor Group, specialising in vaccinations.

Dr Gherardin said vaccines were diverted from overseas to Australia to provide an early start to protecting against the flu season.
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6 }) t" `2 w6 t  d8 D2 P"There's increasing recognition that flu vaccines are safe, therefore increasing recommendation for a much wider group of people to be vaccinated including young children," he said.
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' r8 R3 `. b- t+ H. b! IVaccines cost $25.50 each with people aged over nine needing a single shot while children aged between six months to nine needing two shots
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"It's best that you crank up the immunity across the community before winter hits," Dr Gherardin said.

! V" m- ^1 x5 _2 s: b1 W) M( B- `Parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children however doctors say people who are allergic to eggs should avoid the vaccine.
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The numbers of vaccinations is expected to rise across Australia from next month.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,25138931-5007185,00.html