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**gsgs** · January 21, 2009, 09:24 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

they : the sequence hoarders
us : the public
""yet" nonsense" : papers about flu-epidemics often come up
years after the event
the observation of the spread of H275Y is not so interesting IMO, more
important how it evolved,could happen,appeared.
And i.e. whether drug use contributed.

For this it is important that we have the sequences, also full genomes.
These are particularly rare this season. Coincidence ?
No statements,papers,speculations yet where/when resistance emerged,
what the first sequences with H275Y in Brisbane-H1N1 were

guide the Nature-people to here for coordinated discussion ?!

**HenryN** · January 21, 2009, 09:54 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Originally posted by gsgs View Post

they : the sequence hoarders
us : the public
""yet" nonsense" : papers about flu-epidemics often come up
years after the event
the observation of the spread of H275Y is not so interesting IMO, more
important how it evolved,could happen,appeared.
And i.e. whether drug use contributed.

For this it is important that we have the sequences, also full genomes.
These are particularly rare this season. Coincidence ?
No statements,papers,speculations yet where/when resistance emerged,
what the first sequences with H275Y in Brisbane-H1N1 were

guide the Nature-people to here for coordinated discussion ?!

I think discussions are difficult when virtually everything that you post is false. The Tamiflu resistance has generated record numbers of sequences and the sequences reflecting origins in 2006 and 2007 have been public for some time (and are discussed in peer reviewed publications).

The fact that the explosion in cases is not linked to Tamiflu usage has been known for over a year, yet you want to "debate" the issue (based on ZERO data indicating the outbreak involved recent drug use).

Last season most sequences appeared in the spring and summer, after the season in the northern hemisphere was over. This season CDC has already released a series of sequences (from HI, TX, PA, WI) and Japan has just relased a phylogenetic tree with 33 isolates from Japan as well as isolates from China and Taiwan in the fall and the southern hemisphere collected in the spring / summer.

**HenryN** · January 21, 2009, 12:02 PM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

More comments just added

http://precedings.nature.com/documents/385/version/1

**HenryN** · January 26, 2009, 07:43 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Flu strain's resistance to drug baffles researchers

By BEN LEACH Staff Writer, 609-272-7261

Published: Monday, January 26, 2009

<TABLE cellPadding=0 width=475 border=0><TBODY><TR><TH> </TH></TR><TR><TH>GRAPHIC: Click on the image above for a larger view

</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Tamiflu, a medication used to keep influenza at bay, may not work against this flu season's most active strain of the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the strain's resistance to Tamiflu last month. The resistant strain, an influenza-A strain called H1N1, also appears to be starting to hit New Jersey, according to area medical professionals.
Researchers are baffled by the resistance. Unlike the flu vaccine, which has a new formula from year to year as the medical community predicts which strains of the virus will be circulating during the season, Tamiflu has used the same formula since it was created.
When Tamiflu is used to treat the flu, it needs to be taken within the first 48 hours of infection to keep the virus from spreading.
Despite the resistance, Tamiflu is not completely ineffective this flu season.
"There are three circulating strains, and Tamiflu works against two of them," said Terence Hurley, a spokesman for Roche, the company that makes Tamiflu.

Hurley also said that when Tamiflu is taken with another antiviral drug, rimantadine, the two drugs are 92 percent effective at stopping the flu.
Tamiflu is more popular in other countries such as Japan, where about 35 million people are treated with the drug. While people still use it in the United States, many doctors recommend patients get a flu vaccination to fight off the virus.
Tamiflu "doesn't prevent the disease," said Barbara Juzaitis, administrative director of care management at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point. "It only treats the symptoms."
Juzaitis said flu shots are still available at most doctor's offices or county health departments for people who still have not been treated.
When it comes to treating the flu without a vaccine or Tamiflu, Juzaitis said patients should avoid taking aspirin, alcohol or tobacco while dealing with the virus. She also said antibiotics are not effective against the flu because they fight infections caused by bacteria, not viruses.
E-mail Ben Leach: BLeach@pressofac.com

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/383872.html

**HenryN** · January 26, 2009, 07:46 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tophead>

Troubling Flu Shots

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>COLUMBIA - The drug tamiflu is one of the main anti-biotics used to fight the flu.

Scientists and doctors are seeing troubling signs of resistance against one of this season's strains. Scientists say getting a flu shot is the best defense against the flu. But, once you contract the virus there are several drugs that can help you out. This season patients may run into a little trouble though. The dreaded flu season peak usually hits in February. In two or three more weeks, it may be at its highest point of the year. But, doctors say they are running into a bit of an issue when treating one particular strain with the most common treatment, tamiflu.
"It is almost completely inactive against one of the three strains this year, that's quite unusual and what it means is that it will not help people who have that particular strain," said Dr. Michael Cooperstock.
The drug is supposed to work as an anti-biotic against the h1n1 strain and shorten the recovery time by 1-2 days. Tamiflu is almost always completely rejected this year with that strain of the flu.
"We're not totally without an anti-viral drug, we have others we can use, its just the one we traditionally use is no longer effective in this population of viruses that we've looked at," said Missouri Health Department member Eddie Hedrick.
Scientists say this isnt the first time they've seen problems with tamiflu.
"We first started to see resistance, I think the country of Norway, were the first to report to us that they were seeing resistance to this particular strain of virus, and it looks like its now hit the United States."
As viruses change, there is no way scientists can tell this year if the anti-viral drug will be resistant again next year. Doctors say its hard to tell if the drug is resistant, the only way to tell is if the particular h1n1 strain is present in the community. But its too early in the season to tell that information.
Reported by: Nick Guillory
Posted by: Conroy Delouche

Published: Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Last Updated: Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 10:50 PM
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/11354a12-80ce-0971-011e-7b1589272d5f

**HenryN** · January 26, 2009, 07:49 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Dr. Bill Elliott: The swabs don't lie; the flu has arrived

Dr. Bill Elliott
Posted: 01/25/2009 06:17:22 PM PST


<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> var requestedWidth = 0; </SCRIPT>
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </SCRIPT>The flu has arrived in Northern California. More than 10 percent of nasal swabs sent to a large California lab tested positive for influenza last week, a sign that the flu is here.
It's impossible to tell how bad the flu outbreak will be this year, but we should know within the next few weeks. Flu epidemics occur every year and some years are worse than others, depending on a lot of factors, including the strain of flu and whether the flu vaccine is effective for a given year.
The weather can also affect the severity of a flu outbreak, but not in ways that you might think. Cold weather does not cause colds or flu.
But cold rainy weather moves people indoors where they come in contact with others, and it is person-to-person contact that spreads the flu.
The perfect breeding grounds for flu epidemics are schools. Children are most effective in spreading the virus to others before they really get sick.
In past years, flu epidemics have started before Christmas, only to lose intensity once schools go out on Christmas break. But flu epidemics that start in January (like this year) often gain momentum as the virus spreads throughout schools and through children to the parents.
The best protection against the flu is the flu vaccine. Each summer the Centers for Disease Control predict which viruses will come through the following winter and create a vaccine to protect us against the three most likely viral culprits. The scientists at CDC are very good at their jobs and have only missed the virus once out of the last 10 years. They are monitoring this year's vaccine, but so far it looks good. The vaccine may not be 100 percent effective in preventing flu, but it will make the overall population healthier - so the more people who are immunized, the less intense the flu outbreak.

Unlike past years, there is an unusual twist to the influenza virus circulating this winter. It seems to be resistant to the most commonly used antiviral treatment.
For those who end up getting the flu, the drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir) has been used to cut down the severity of the infection. It only reduces symptoms by one day, but might be useful in those who are at risk for severe illness from the flu, such as the elderly and some children.
But just as bacteria become resistant to many antibiotics, this year's flu is resistant to Tamiflu. Other medications are available, but they are harder to take and have more side effects.
So the best offense is a good defense. It is still not too late to get a flu shot from your doctor's office. And no, it is not possible to get the flu from the flu vaccine. The vaccine does not contain active viruses so it is impossible for it to cause an infection.
For those just won't get vaccinated, a word of warning - the flu is not like a bad cold. The flu can cause a severe illness with fever, headache, severe muscle pain, sore throat and intestinal symptoms.
Be prepared to miss a week or more of school or work. It may take several weeks before you feel back to normal.
In other words, if you get the flu this year, I guarantee you will want to get a flu shot next year as it is likely to be the worst illness you've ever had.
Everyone recommends good handwashing to prevent the flu, and this may help. But remembered that your neighbor, coworker, child, grandchild or that guy at the store can give you the flu the day before he or she becomes sick.
If you think you are getting the flu, you might want to talk your doctor. Otherwise rest and acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help, along with lots of chicken soup.
Kids should not get aspirin or ibuprofen for flu symptoms - so it is acetaminophen only for them. Dr. Bill Elliott is assistant physician in chief for Kaiser Permanente's Novato office and Petaluma and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF Medical School.

Page not found – Marin Independent Journal

http://www.marinij.com/lifestyles/ci_11548257

**HenryN** · January 29, 2009, 09:31 PM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Tamiflu failing to help with flu strain

Comments 0 | Recommend 1

January 29, 2009 - 8:12 AM

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Scientists are stumped when it comes to Tamiflu, once considered the leading drug to fight the flu.

Now it's not. In fact a major flu strain was found to be resistant to the drug. No one seems to know why.

Of course, we're still in flu season and doctors are worried about this.

Last winter about 11 percent of patients with the most common type of flu showed a Tamiflu resistant strain. It was very rare.

This year that number is 99 percent.

Why is this significant? Antiviral drugs only work within the first 48 hours of infection. If a patient is given the wrong drug it could be deadly.

So doctors are scrambling. They're checking with the Michigan Department of Community Health to see which flu strains are most common in West Michigan, then treating for them.

http://www.wwmt.com/articles/flu_1358515___article.html/tamiflu_scientists.html

**HenryN** · January 30, 2009, 02:22 PM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Archive weekly updates ? (week 4/2009)

Antiviral resistance detected in influenza viruses from European countries during the season 2008/2009, by virus subtype and drug class (updated 28/01/2009) <SUP>1</SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=80 rowSpan=3>

Virus type and subtype

</TD><TD class=banner_header vAlign=top width=336 colSpan=4>

Resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors

</TD><TD class=banner_header vAlign=top width=208 colSpan=2>

Resistance to M2 inhibitors

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=166 colSpan=2>

Oseltamivir

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=170 colSpan=2>

Zanamivir

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=93 rowSpan=2>

Isolates tested

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=114 rowSpan=2>

Resistant
no. (%)

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=64>

Isolates tested

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=102>

Resistant
no. (%)

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=66>

Isolates tested

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=104>

Resistant
no. (%)

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=80>

A(H3N2)

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=64>

145

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=102>

0

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=66>

138

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=104>

0

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=93>

115

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=114>

115 (100)

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=80>

A(H1N1)

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=64>

75

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=102>

73 (97)

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=66>

75

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=104>

0

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=93>

27

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=114>

0

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=80>

B

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=64>

10

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=102>

0

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=66>

10

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=104>

0

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=93>

NA<SUP>2</SUP>

</TD><TD vAlign=top width=114>

NA

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><SUP>1</SUP>The analysis of resistance against neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir) and M2-ion channel inhibitors (amantadine and rimantadine) is done by measuring IC50 values and/or by genotyping of viruses for detection of known drug resistance mutations. As influenza A viruses are fully cross resistant for amantadine and rimantadine these are not shown separately in the table.

<SUP>2</SUP>NA = not applicable as M2 inhibitors do not act on influenza B viruses.

ERROR: The request could not be satisfied

http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/Health_topics/influenza/Archive_season/Archive_season_092901.aspx

**HenryN** · February 2, 2009, 08:41 PM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Dear Doc: Fighting the flu in Eagle County

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript> function createQString(s) { return escape(s); } function stripHTML(s){ var re= /<\S[^><]*>/g return s.replace(re, "") } var Heading = "Dear%20Doc%3A%20Fighting%20the%20flu%20in%20E agle%20County"; var strippedHeading = stripHTML(Heading); var tempTitle = createQString(strippedHeading); var ArticleTitle = "&t="+tempTitle;</SCRIPT>'The flu is here in our community and believe me, you do not want to catch it'

Dr. Drew Werner
newsroom@vaildaily.com
Eagle County CO, Colorado

Dr. Drew Werner
Special to the Daily

EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — This week I am bringing you some good news and some bad news, and then a bit more bad news. Ever the optimist, first the good news.

The flu shot works, and is “on target” for the strains of Influenza A and Influenza B this year. There is still time to get your flu shot, so if you have not received one yet, don’t wait. Now the bad news. First and foremost, the flu is here in our community and believe me, you do not want to catch it. The second part of the bad news is that the Influenza A strain spreading like wildfire is resistant to most prescription anti-flu medications.

If you’ve never had the flu, thank your lucky stars. If you have had it, I’m sure you haven’t forgotten! A week in bed, body aches, a nose that runs worse than a leaky faucet, nausea, fevers, even your hair hurts. Too tired to get up, feeling too miserable to fall asleep, there is nothing to do except watch old re-runs and bad TV.

Dear Doc,

Is it too late for me? I’ve heard the flu is here. Is there anything I can do?

Dreading the flu in Gypsum

Dear Dreading,

Prevention is often the best medicine. We talked about the flu vaccine last fall, and it is still available. Although especially important for high-risk groups of people including those over age 50, children and anyone with chronic medical problems like diabetes, asthma and emphysema, the flu shot is recommended for almost everyone. There is more to prevention than just a shot though. Keeping your immune system healthy is important. Getting adequate sleep, eating healthy and managing stress are all essential. Beyond that there are some over the counter remedies. Vitamin C in doses of 200 to 6,000 mg daily can help. Dr. Linus Pauling fervently advocated the use of high dose vitamin C. His work showed about 50 percent of those who took large doses of the supplement benefited with fewer colds. The NIH (National Institute of Health) recently increased their recommendation of dietary vitamin C intake to 200 mg daily. Other anti-oxidants like vitamin E may help too. While the scientific data is still limited on any of these treatments, Echinacea and zinc may offer benefits as well. These supplements are safe and early use is probably essential.

Previously we had four prescription medications which have been well shown to decrease both the duration and severity of the flu. These included the older medications amantadine (brand name Symmetrel) and rimantadine (brand name Flumadine), the newer oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) as well as the recently introduced zanamivir (brand name Relenza). Beginning in 2006, Influenza A resistance to amantadine and rimantadine began to develop. Since then resistance to Tamiflu has increased as well. In the 2007-2008 flu season nearly 11 percent of influenza A was resistant to it, leaving only Relenza as being reliably effective. While Tamiflu and Relenza work against influenza B strains as well, amantadine and rimantadine do not.

The best choice this flu season is Relenza, unless we have only locally susceptible strains of Influenza A present. CDC recommendations are to try to track exactly which strains of the flu are present in our (or any) area. That is not always easily done, and different strains may be present at the same time. Unless you can be confident you have a susceptible strain of influenza (ask your doctor), the CDC recommendation is to use Relenza or a combination of Tamiflu and either amantadine or rimantadine to cover both Influenza B and resistant A strains.

The key to the use of any of these medications is early treatment. Starting treatment in the first 24 hours is preferred and the benefit rapidly decreases after 48 hours. While early treatment may reduce the severity of flu symptoms, these medications only shorten the course of your illness by one day. It is important to talk to your doctor about which type of flu is in the community before choosing a medication. Relenza is the only medication of the four that is inhaled and should not be used if you have asthma or emphysema. Relenza is also only for adults and children over 7 years of age.

So how do we know it is the flu and not a cold? The following table will help:

Symptom Flu The Common Cold

Onset Rapid (hours) Gradual (many hours to days)

Fever Common (100.5 to 104 F) Uncommon

Muscle Aches Severe Mild or none

Appetite Poor (anorexia) Average

Fatigue Severe for days to weeks Mild for 1 to 2 days

Malaise (run down) Severe for days Mild or none

Chest Discomfort Common, significant Uncommon or mild

Cough (dry) Common, severe Uncommon or mild

Stuffy Nose Uncommon Common, significant

Sneezing Uncommon Common, frequent

Sore Throat Uncommon, mild Common, mild to moderate

My best advice is to stay healthy, exercise, eat right, drink plenty of fluids, wash your hands and get plenty of sleep. If you have not had a flu shot, get one! Prevention is the best medicine. If you are unlucky enough to get the flu, get in to see your doctor because medication might be right for you.

Remember your health is your responsibility! Health is our greatest asset and it doesn’t happen by accident. If something doesn’t seem right, or questions are left unanswered, don’t wait, call your doctor. Please keep your questions coming in! The only bad question is the unanswered one. Let me know what’s on your mind at cschnell@vaildaily.com.

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http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20090202/AE/902029948/1064&title=Dear%20Doc:%20Fighting%20the%20flu%20in%20Eagle%20County

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**HenryN** · February 3, 2009, 08:37 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Flu makes presence felt in Virginia

The Daily Progress

Nurse Carol Graves administers a flu vaccine at the University of Virginia Student Health Center.


By Bryan McKenzie

Published: February 3, 2009

Getting a shot can save a whole lot of suffering, especially if the shot is loaded with flu vaccine.
State and local health officials on Monday said influenza is officially widespread throughout the state. They made the conclusion after reviewing preliminary data and tests results from hospitals, urgent care facilities and doctors’ offices.
The number of total confirmed cases was not available for the state or Central Virginia. Officials said the number of reported “influenza-like illnesses” — those including respiratory ailments and fevers — leaves no doubt about the viral arrival.
“There has been a significant increase in reports in the area last week as compared to the week before,” said Elizabeth Davies, epidemiologist for the Thomas Jefferson Health District, which includes most of Central Virginia. “We’re seeing a whole lot more across the state and in the area. The flu is pretty much everywhere.”
Influenza viruses can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, dry coughs, sore throats and runny noses. Fever and body aches may last from three to five days and the cough and lack of energy for two or more weeks. Influenza can be difficult to diagnose because the initial symptoms are similar to those caused by other viruses and illnesses.
Virginia was the first state to report widespread flu outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New Jersey soon followed.
The figures are determined by creating a “threshold” number through a complex algorithm of the number of flu-related illnesses in the past, those reported weekly and similar illnesses reported in a week. Three of Virginia’s four health regions last week exceeded the threshold.
State officials say the commonwealth’s method of gathering data from health providers provides information more quickly and they expect other states will soon catch up.
“It’s hard to say if we have more flu cases than other states but there’s no doubt that it’s out there,” said Michelle Peregoy, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Health. “This is the peak time for flu, so it’s really no surprise.”
Officials say there are two types of influenza virus, A and B, and many different strains of those types. Every year officials try to determine which strains and types of flu are most likely to occur and create a vaccine cocktail for those viruses. So far this year, most of the strains reported seem to be from type A viruses, a predominate ingredient in this year’s vaccine, according to the CDC.
One strain of type A flu has tested as resistant to typical anti-viral medicines such as Oseltamivir, the medicine in Tamiflu. Officials had no information if the resistant strain has appeared in Virginia.
Flu reports are higher for more populated areas because the flu is transmitted through contact with body fluids, from sneeze-released particulates to handshakes.
“The viruses are transmitted from person to person and the illness spreads pretty quickly in places where people are in close contact, like schools and dormitories,” Davies said. “It’s important for people to take precautions from washing their hands to staying at home when they’re sick.”
Peregoy recommended a quick trip to get a shot, especially considering the prevalence of type A influenza.
“A good idea is taking the flu vaccine,” she said. “It’s not too late to get the flu shot.”

http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/flu_makes_presence_felt_in_virginia/35127/

**Giuseppe** · February 3, 2009, 12:16 PM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Flu vaccines not as effective this year as in the past: DOH - Taiwan News Online

Flu vaccines not as effective this year as in the past: DOH

Central News Agency
2009-02-03 10:59 PM
Taipei, Feb. 3 (CNA)

Influenza vaccines that proved to be effective late last year have failed to live up to expectations early this year, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

Chou Jih-haw, deputy director general of DOH's Centers for Disease Control, said more than 3.2 million free flu shots were given to the public in autumn and winter last year.

"Judging from the number of influenza cases in the fourth quarter of 2008, it was significantly lower than in the same period the previous year," Chou said.

"But this year, tests of flu viruses on the patients showed that the results have not been as good as expected," he continued.

Chou said influenza vaccines given in autumn 2008 and this winter should be effective against the H1N1 and H3N2 viruses, and tests taken from patients who were inoculated last year proved their effectiveness.

But in January, tests found the vaccines did not work on 70 percent of those with H1N1 viruses and 40 percent of those with the H3N2 virus.

A vaccine is considered effective if it controls the virus in 80 percent to 90 percent of those inoculated.

Chou would not categorize the vaccines as ineffective, however, because influenza viruses are "prone to mutation, " meaning that the virus formula for producing vaccines must be changed on a yearly basis.

A former CDC director suggested Tuesday that part of the problem may be that flu viruses tend to strike Taiwan between six months and two years earlier than European countries and the United States.

Su Ih-jen, director of the Division of Clinical Research of the National Health Research Institutes, said that because of the time lag, influenza vaccines produced by European and American pharmaceutical makers based on data provided by the World Health Organization could not keep up with the outbreak of flu in Asia.

Su noted that with close exchanges between Taiwan and China, Taiwan has become an outpost of influenza outbreaks.

The World Health Organization began to address the issue of different prevalent viruses in Asia and Europe last April.

Currently, two out of five major vaccine manufacturers have made inroads into China, and the production of Asian influenza vaccines "has become a trend," he said.

Su suggested that the virus in every influenza outbreak is slightly different, and that "it can show major changes about every five years, so the effectiveness of vaccines can diminish." (By Lilian Wu)
-

<cite cite="http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=855358&lang=eng_news">Flu vaccines not as effective this year as in the past: DOH - Taiwan News Online</cite>

**HenryN** · February 3, 2009, 03:29 PM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Flu Outbreak In Virginia?

Posted:<SCRIPT language=JavaScript>var wn_last_ed_date = getLEDate("Feb 2, 2009 8:56 AM EST"); document.write(wn_last_ed_date);</SCRIPT> Feb 2, 2009 08:56 AM EST

It may be February, but flu season is still in full swing and posing a threat. The Centers for Disease Control says there's a flu outbreak in Virginia. They say Virginia is one of two states now reporting widespread flu illnesses. But some doctors don't believe it's that bad. Dr. Frank Tortorella tells CBS 6 while he is starting to see more cases of the flu, he doesn't believe there's a major epidemic. "That doesn't mean there's actually more flu because what they really record is influenza like illnesses, which can be fever, sore throat, cough."
State health department officials also say Virginia, unlike many others state, collects flu data electronically overnight. "I think our system for surveillance for influenza is more sensitive than what's being used in other states."
And here's some good news this flu season, this year's vaccine is proving to be very effective. "Last year, as you know, the vaccine was not well matched with the circulating strains. The vaccine seems to be well matched this year, so it's still wise to get the flu vaccine if you haven't done so," says Dr. Tortorella.
Another good reason to get the vaccine is that this year's flu strain is not responding well to a medication thousands took last year - Tamiflu.
And in this economy with thousands of workers now doing the jobs of two or three other people, businesses can't afford to have several workers calling in sick.
Virginia Health Department officials say while the flu did spike some in January, there's no reason to believe that the state has more cases of the flu than neighboring states.

http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp...8&nav=menu79_1

**Giuseppe** · February 4, 2009, 04:01 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Roche Second-Half Profit Falls 14%, Shares Slump (Update1)

By Dermot Doherty and Naomi Kresge

Feb. 4 (Bloomberg) --

Roche Holding AG?s second-half profit missed estimates, causing the Swiss drugmaker?s shares to record their worst drop in more than 11 years.

Net income fell to 4.15 billion Swiss francs ($3.6 billion) in the second half from 4.8 billion francs a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News expected earnings of 4.86 billion francs. Roche dipped as much as 9.7 percent in Zurich trading, the steepest decline since Oct. 28, 1997.

Roche said profit this year will probably show little change excluding the effect of currencies. Demand for Tamiflu, one of two medicines that may help in the event of a bird flu pandemic, slumped as governments completed their stockpiles.

Roche, which last week went hostile in its offer to buy partner Genentech Inc., also said the weaker U.S. dollar eroded sales.

?This is generally a disappointment,? said Romain Pasche, a fund manager at Vontobel Asset Management in Zurich. The outlook for this year is unexpectedly cautious, according to Pasche.

Roche fell 11 francs, or 6.8 percent, to 151.6 francs at 9:14 a.m. in Zurich.

For the full year, profit dropped to 8.97 billion francs from 9.76 billion francs a year earlier, the Basel, Switzerland-based company said. Bloomberg News calculated second-half profit based on published reports.

?Fair Offer?

Sales of Tamiflu dropped 68 percent last year as governments and companies completed their stockpiling programs at the end of 2007, Roche said in a statement on its Web site.

The company also said it faced a stronger Swiss franc and lower financial income as interest rates fell.

Revenue from the best-selling cancer drug Avastin, developed by Genentech, helped support earnings, the company said. Roche offered $42.1 billion to buy the 44 percent of Genentech it doesn?t own on Jan. 30.

?We have delivered a very fair offer to Genentech shareholders,? Chief Executive Officer Severin Schwan said in a televised interview today. ?It is now up to them to decide. We have huge respect for Genentech.?

Roche is testing Avastin in over 400 clinical trials to expand its use. Products developed by South San Francisco-based Genentech account for about 40 percent of Roche?s revenue and also include the breast cancer treatment Herceptin.

Look Ahead

Avastin, approved for colon, lung and breast tumors, is the top-selling cancer medicine and may become the single best- selling drug in the world within six years, according to EvaluatePharma, a London-based consultant.

Roche in July offered $43.7 billion for the rest of Genentech, an offer the U.S. company rejected in August as too low. Last week, Roche went straight to shareholders with a lower bid.

?There is no Plan B,? Schwan said today. ?We are confident and we assume that most of the minority shareholders will tender their stock.?

Full control would help Roche boost income from Genentech medicines and ensure access to its labs after an existing accord expires in 2015.

Roche said it ?expects to continue to perform strongly in 2009.? Sales at the drugs and diagnostics units will grow ahead of the market, showing increases in the ?mid-single- digit range in local currencies,? according to the statement. Earnings per share at constant exchange rates will probably be little changed this year, the company said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dermot Doherty in Geneva at ddoherty9@bloomberg.netNaomi Kresge in Zurich at nkresge@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: February 4, 2009 03:27 EST
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http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ayBqO.eGuzAU

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**tropical** · February 4, 2009, 09:41 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

#104:
"as governments and companies completed their stockpiling programs at the end of 2007"

FT today's thread:

"220 millions de traitements Tamiflu disponibles dans le monde
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93286
BALE (Suisse) - Plus de 220 millions de traitements contre la grippe aviaire, avec le m?dicament Tamiflu, sont disponibles dans le monde, a indiqu? mercredi le groupe pharmaceutique suisse Roche, estimant cependant que ce volume ?tait faible par rapport ? la population mondiale.
Quelque "220 millions de traitements sont entre les mains des gouvernements pour un traitement de premi?re ligne", a affirm? le directeur de la division pharmaceutique William Burns, lors d'une conf?rence de presse ? B?le."

220 milion treatments for: "As of February 2009, the world's population is estimated to be about 6.75 billion (Wiki)"

and the stockpilling programs are "completed".

Must be some other reason for it's market plunging (resistance doubts maybe) ...

**Commonground** · February 4, 2009, 10:13 AM

Re: Flu Found Resistant to Main Antiviral Drug

Must be some other reason for it's market plunging (resistance doubts maybe) ...

That's what I'm thinking Tropical.