Drug Resistance May Alter Pandemic Planning
According to Twitter’s BNO (Breaking News Only) Danish health officials are confirming a case of H1N1 (Swine Flu) that has appeared in their country that shows resistance to the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.
While the virus continues to be mild, even compared to seasonal flu outbreaks, one of the biggest fears for the World Health Organization is that the virus would mutate over the summer months into a more viral strain and/or acquire resistance to anti-viral mediciations.
This development should be watched closely, and influenza plans reviewed to insure that adaquate safeguards are in place if your organization should end up facing a virus that cannot be treated with anti-virals.
Resistance to anti-virals would certainly mean higher absenteeism rates, increased infection, especially among family members and caregivers who are have close contact with victims, and more strain on the health care system during an outbreak. If the resistance to anti-virals becomes widespread, it will be necessary to adjust planning for these realities.
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