GENEVA - Tamiflu resistance in some H1N1 patients with severe impaired immune system does not seem to reflect a major change in the virus' sensitivity to front-line drugs, the WHO said Thursday.
Nine people in the United Kingdom and the United States developed a Tamiflu-resistant form of swine flu at the same time being treated in hospitals mainly for blood cancer, "said WHO flu expert Keiji Fukuda.
"We do not know the answer. But it is more likely that we will not see a change, a major shift in the epidemiology or the characteristics of these viruses for oseltamivir resistance, he said a weekly press briefing.
He said Tamiflu, known generally as oseltamivir and made by Switzerland's Roche (ROG.VX), was effective when used correctly and early.
About 75 cases of oseltamivir-resistant viruses have been reported worldwide in recent months, most isolated incidents that have occurred since that preventive treatment with the drug, "he says.
"Right now we do not see any sign of a great power in immunocompromised persons with milder forms, and we can not see a big effect on HIV-infected population," he says.
Flu to continue for several weeks
Swine influenza is expected to infect more people in the northern hemisphere in the coming weeks before there is a decline, but is less common in the southern hemisphere, "said Fukuda.
"... It is still too early to say whether we are witnessing to the top of the activity on the northern hemisphere. Again we see the difference between a country at a time," he says.
H1N1 has killed at least 6,770 people, according to WHO. Most people suffer mild symptoms and recover without specific treatment.
Some serious side effects occurred after vaccination, but for the most part "we have seen that serious incidents are not related to pandemic vaccine," said Fukuda.
In Canada, six people had serious allergic reactions after vaccination, but all recovered. Canadian provinces have stopped using a particular group with GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK.L) vaccine.
"As we understand that none of this vaccine was distributed outside of Canada," said Fukuda. "Have all unused doses of vaccine on hold, they are not used at this point, while the investigation continues."
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