S. Korea reports 1st case of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 flu

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean health authorities said Monday that they
have discovered a H1N1 Influenza-A flu strain resistant to the anti-viral drug
Tamiflu in a patient infected with the strain, the first such reported case in
South Korea.

According to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, the
Tamiflu-resistant H1M1 virus was found in a five-year-old boy last month.
It said a virus enzyme that can make Tamiflu ineffective was detected in samples
taken from the boy adding it marks the first time that such a development has
been detected in the country.
The discovery is noteworthy because health authorities may need to take
additional actions to treat people that catch the flu responsible for 104 deaths
in the country since mid-August.
"If the Tamiflu drug does not show any effect after five straight days, people
must report to hospitals and clinics immediately," an official said.
Health authorities, however, said the boy did not develop the same kind of
tolerance to the Relenza drug also used to treat flu patients.
The World Health Organization said that there have been 75 cases of people
developing tolerance for Tamiflu since the outbreak was first reported in North
America in April.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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