More evidence bird flu can evade drug: report (Tamiflu)

Eugene

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Wed Dec-21-05 07:09 PM
Original message

More evidence bird flu can evade drug: report (Tamiflu)

More evidence bird flu can evade drug: report
Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:21 PM ET

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Doctors in Vietnam reported on Wednesday they had found more evidence that
the H5N1 bird flu virus can quickly mutate into a form that resists the effect of Roche AG's
frontline drug Tamiflu.

Four of eight patients treated in Vietnam for bird flu infections died despite the use of Tamiflu,
Dr. Menno de Jong of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit at the Hospital for Tropical
Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City and colleagues wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Tests showed that in two of the patients, the virus had become resistant to Tamiflu. And in one
patient, the drug was used very early on, as is recommended.

<snip>

The H5N1 strain is difficult for people to catch. However, experts fear it could evolve into a form
that could pass easily from human to human, causing a pandemic that could kill millions.

<snip>

Full article: http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2005-12-21T232137Z_01_KRA183973_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU-TAMIFLU.xml

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Kagemusha

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Wed Dec-21-05 07:11 PM
Response to Original message

1. Did someone forget to tell them Tamiflu is not a vaccine/ cure?

And any study of 8 people whereupon 7 had the drug used on them as it was NOT recommended is not the basis for any scientific claim. But then again I'm not going to insult the term "scientific" by saying I think this claim actually is.

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Eugene

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Wed Dec-21-05 07:42 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. From the article...

Edited on Wed Dec-21-05 07:43 PM by Eugene

and a related BBC story here...

Tamiflu is the recommended treatment for persons
in immediate proximity to an outbreak. The important point
from the researchers is that they need to get the dosages
and timing right. Tamiflu shows promise, and there is
currently no backup drug.

With less than 200 human infections worldwide, the data set is small.
This incident along with another case of resistance is a worrying trend.

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MercutioATC

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Wed Dec-21-05 09:30 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. Tamiflu is the recommended treatment...NOT a cure.

Tamiflu and Relenza are recommended because they reduce flu {b} symptoms , not because they're cures.

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Hyernel

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Wed Dec-21-05 09:33 PM
Response to Original message

4. "Who cares if it works, as long as people will pay for it" -- D. Rumsfeld

I'm sure I'm not too far off.

If people get birdflu and then take Tamiflu, and then die...they should sue Rummy personally!!

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