Flu Pandemic?

By Tim State in News on Feb 17, 2008 4:45PM

Dr. Maines was inoculating 10-day old emryonated hen's eggs with a specimen containing an H5N1 avian influenza virus. This experiment was part of a study to investigate the pathogenicity and transmissibility of newly emerging H5N1 viruses. Identification of genetic markers affecting the ability of H5N1 viruses to transmit efficiently will help in the early identification of emerging H5N1 viruses with pandemic potential. Information gained from this study is important for pandemic preparedness. Image and caption by the CDC.

In the category of unstoppable diseases, ten cases of a drug-resistant flu have been diagnosed at a Chicago-area health care facility. The name of the facility has not been released. But the emergence of a flu strain that is not responding to Tamiflu, the most popular front-line anti-viral medication, is causing concern among health officials.

Until the drug-resistant virus can be isolated and analyzed, doctors are being encouraged to use a combination of drugs to fight the flu for any patients in intensive care. Nationally, 4.6% of flu samples tested have shown signs of drug resistance, compared to just below 1% in previous years. According to Dr. Joe Bresee, Branch Chief, Branch of Epidemiology and Prevention, CDC Influenza Division:

We have seen this before, though not at this level. Previous to this year less than 1% of the viruses tested have been resistant to Tamiflu. So this represents a real increase in resistance. So far we don't know if the resistance is likely to continue to increase or subside. And we're monitoring it much more closely this year than we have in the past.

This is worrisome as it could leave fewer options for doctors to treat seriously ill patients. So wash your hands, folks. And stay home from work when you’re not feeling well. [Trib, CDC]

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