Some Strains of Influenza Becoming Drug-Resistant

Friday, 16 September 2011, 18:11 IST
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Washington: Certain strains of influenza are becoming resistant to common treatments, according to scientists. "We've been able to map out globally how this phenomenon is happening," said study author Ira M. Longini, professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida. Longini explains how seasonal H1N1 flu became resistant to oseltamivir, otherwise known as Tamiflu, the most widely used antiviral agent for treating and preventing flu, the journal Interface reports. "If you see resistant strains in parts of the world where no one is taking antiviral drugs, that's the smoking gun that the resistant strain must be transmitting," said Longini, according to a university statement.
Source: IANS
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