Written by: NISO News
Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:11:40 GMT

Biologists have pinpointed molecular changes that helped allow the global spread of resistance to the antiviral medication Tamiflu (oseltamivir) among strains of the seasonal H1N1 flu virus.

Tamiflu and other antiviral drugs directly target viruses, unlike vaccines, which instead stimulate our body's immune system to respond to the pathogens after an infection is established.

The group conducting the research, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), have stated, that so far, the H274Y mutation has not become widespread in either the avian H5N1 influenza or the recent swine-origin influenza pandemic, although it has cropped up in isolated cases.

In a separate but related story, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Thursday, 3 June 2010 that the H1N! pandemic was not over but that its most intense activity had passed. The WHO said it remained critical for countries to remain vigilant.

Sources: California Institute of Technology
http://media.caltech.edu/press_releases/13352

World Health Organisation
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_06_04/en/index.html

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