SINGAPORE: WHO researchers say the H1N1 flu virus that swept the globe in 2009 has mutated, with the new strain appearing in Singapore and Australia.
The new virus has a genetic twist, making it resistant to drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza, the two mainstay drugs used to tackle the virus.
The World Health
Organisation's influenza research group says more than 10 percent of
H1N1 flu infection samples from Singapore, collected during the early
months this year, showed mildly reduced sensitivity to the two drugs.
The new variation of the virus has also mixed with the old form in at least one patient.
Researchers say it proved extremely resistant to Tamiflu, and the patient, who already had a weakened immune system, died.
But lab tests showed the experimental flu drug peramivir remains an effective treatment against the virus.
The
new variant has also been detected in other parts of Asia-Pacific,
according to a report by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and
Research on Influenza in Melbourne.
It is feared that if this
new form of flu spreads, other mutations may occur and trigger even
greater drug resistance and more serious illness.
- CNA/ir
New H1N1 strain can be treated with mainstay drugs, says MOH, A*Star
SINGAPORE: The Health Ministry and government research agency A*Star said the new H1N1 strain can still be treated with mainstay drugs.
The new strain has a rare-occurring mutation that causes it to be mildly resistant to Tamiflu. And when mixed with a more common Tamiflu-resistant mutation, the variant leads to a much stronger reduction in drug sensitivity.
But the MOH and
A*Star has said the new strain can still be effectively treated with
drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza. They said most people with the flu will
make a full recovery without the need for antiviral drugs.
And
the Ministry has advised those who are at a higher risk of
complications, to get vaccinated against the flu annually. They include
the elderly, young children and those with chronic heart and respiratory
diseases.
The authorities said Singapore is at the cross-roads
between the northern and southern hemispheres, and as a result, has
year-round circulations of influenza viruses. As such they would
continue to monitor the virus for further changes.
The new
variant was discovered in Singapore and Australia by the World Health
Organisation's Influenza Collaborating Centre and Singapore's National
Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and A*STAR's Bioinformatics Institute
(BII).
-CNA/ac
great.