New strain of swine flu resistant to jab spreads in hospital

A STRAIN of swine flu resistant to Tamiflu has spread from person to person in a South Wales hospital.

Five patients on a unit treating patients with severe underlying health conditions at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, have been diagnosed with swine flu resistant to Oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

It was revealed last week that two had the resistant strain, but the National Public Health Service for Wales had said at that stage it was not thought to have spread between patients.

The NPHS has now said that three patients appear to have acquired the infection in hospital.

Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the NPHS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, said: "The emergence of influenza A viruses that are resistant to Tamiflu is not unexpected in patients with serious underlying conditions and suppressed immune systems, who still test positive for the virus despite treatment.

"In this case, the resistant strain of swine flu does not appear to be any more severe than the swine flu virus that has been circulating since April.

"For the vast majority of people, Tamiflu has proved effective in reducing the severity of illness. Vaccination remains the most effective tool we have in preventing swine flu so I urge people identified as being at risk to look out for their invitation to be vaccinated by their GP surgery."

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell, said: "We know that people with suppressed immune systems are more susceptible to the swine flu virus, which is why they are a priority group under the first phase of the vaccination programme in Wales which is progressing at pace.

"We have stringent processes in place for monitoring for antiviral resistance in the UK so that we can spot resistance early and the causes can be investigated and the cases managed.

"Identifying these cases shows that our systems are working so patients should be reassured.

"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."

All patients diagnosed with Tamiflu-resistant swine flu on the unit have been treated with an alternative antiviral.

All other patients on the unit have been tested for swine flu.

Patients have been isolated or are being cared for in a designated area for influenza cases.

Patients and staff at the unit have been offered swine flu vaccination. Patients due to come into the unit for treatment are being advised to have the vaccination from their GP in advance of going there.

Household contacts of the patients with swine flu are being followed up to ensure early and appropriate treatment is offered should symptoms of influenza develop.

Two patients with Tamiflu-resistant swine flu have recovered and have been discharged from hospital. One patient remains in critical care and two others continue to be treated on the ward.