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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 H1N1 virus was found in a five-year-old boy last month. | | Data picture |
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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