Mutant swine flu virus weathers medication

Danish scientists have traced a new strain of H1N1 influenza, which has shown resistance to the foremost swine flu medication, Tamiflu.

In a Monday statement issued by Denmark’s State Serum Institute, researchers at the center maintained that they anticipated resistance from the virulent virus due to its high mutability powers.

[efoods]However, the statement goes on to unwind worries about the newly-discovered case, saying that the carrier of the new strain has almost recovered from the illness.

Earlier in June, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) had raised the swine flu pandemic alert level to 6, the highest level for governments, and had asked people across the globe to remain vigilant for symptoms of the infection.

So far 311 people have lost their lives to the disease, which entails harsh respiratory problems, high body temperature, and other severe flu-like indications.

The latest WHO figures put the number of the people with the viral contagion at over 70,000 infections in 113 countries.

The latest H1N1 statistics reveal that the contagion’s death toll has outnumbered fatalities caused by the avian flu in recent years.

Experts warn that the latest pandemic, unprecedented in over four decades, could bring about more losses of lives before a proper way to fight the pathogen is determined.

This article was posted: Monday, June 29, 2009 at 7:49 pm

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