Increased resistance to Tamiflu uncovered

Research has shown increasing resistance to a major vaccine for avian influenza.

More people with one of the three types of common flu viruses are becoming immune to the effects of Tamiflu, which is being stockpiled by governments to fight a potential avian influenza pandemic.

Resistance to the vaccine was becoming more of a problem in the southern hemisphere, according to a report by Recombinomics quoting South African and Australian research.

Hong Kong first reported the drug was not working three years ago, followed by New Caledonia two years ago, then Brisbane a year ago before spreading to the US and northern Europe.

Research raised concerns about a particularly resistant strain in Honduras and Guatemala moving to North America.

World Health Organization tests on 788 flu patients from 12 countries predominantly in the southern hemisphere earlier this year found 31 per cent had a mutation associated with Tamiflu resistance, said New Zealand PA.

Last year Swedish researchers found that Tamiflu did not break down in the sewage system, which could lead to more virulent resistance to flu strains.

Bird flu is most prevalent in South East Asia but it has spread to Eastern Europe in recent years.

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