Health officials at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff report of a Tamiflu resistant strain of swine flu that has spread among five patients. This is thought by the health officials to be the first case of person-to-person transmission of the swine flu.
Other cases of individuals who have built resistance to Tamiflu have been reported around the world, but they have never spread it among others. The health officials report that there is no further risk to other patients.
Two of the patients have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital. Two are being treated in a separate ward and one patient is in critical care.
Tamiflu, also known as 'Oseltamivir' is an antiviral drug that is used to treat the various influenza viruses. It is used as a treatment for the seasonal flu, Avian flu, and even the H1N1 virus.
The virus has been stable since its emergence in April, and this resistant strain of the swine flu does not seem any more dangerous than the already prevalent strain of swine flu.
Dr. Roland Salmon, the director of the National Public Health Service for Wale's Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, emphasizes that "Treatment with Tamiflu is still appropriate for swine flu and people should continue to take Tamiflu when they are prescribed it."
"It's also important that good hygiene practices are followed to further prevent the spread of the virus."
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