cHeroKee
01-20-2009, 08:59 PM
Tamiflu-resistant flu strain in Salt Lake County
January 20th, 2009 @ 5:32pm
<!-- ===================[ STORY BODY : RICH TEXT ]================= --> Press Release
(Salt Lake County) - Health officials from the Salt Lake Valley Health Department (SLVHD) (http://www.slvhealth.org/) are reporting that one of the circulating flu strains within Salt Lake County, Type A H1N1, has been reported as resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu?) (http://www.tamiflu.com/?utm_campaign=Tamiflu%20-%20Branded%202008-2009&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=Tamiflu%20-%20General&utm_term=tamiflu), an antiviral frequently used to treat and limit influenza illness, in studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/?s_cid=internal6).
Salt Lake County currently has several reported cases of influenza typed as resistant to the popular antiviral. Tamiflu resistance first emerged several years ago in Europe and Asia. Although this is the first time that antiviral resistance has effected the United States population, it has arrived with staggering numbers. Roughly 99 percent of all flu swabs sent to the CDC so far this season have shown a Tamiflu-resistant strain.
"All of our preliminary data indicates that this year's flu shot is a good match to the circulating influenza strains, including the one resistant to Tamiflu" says Dr. Dagmar Vitek, SLVHD medical director. "In light of the surprising prevalence of Type A H1N1 in Utah, the flu shot by far provides the best protection against getting influenza this season."
It's not too late to get your flu shot. Flu shots are still available at all SLVHD public health clinics for $10. Last year Salt Lake County had a total of 187 hospitalized cases, with the flu season peaking in February.
Influenza typically kills about 36,000 Americans every year, according to CDC estimates. Most at risk are the elderly or very young, and people with problems like asthma or heart disease. Flu vaccination is recommended for children ages 6 months up to their 19th birthday, pregnant women, people over 50 years of age, individuals with chronic medical conditions and those who care for individuals with a high risk of flu complications.
(Courtesy The Salt Lake Valley Health Department)
January 20th, 2009 @ 5:32pm
<!-- ===================[ STORY BODY : RICH TEXT ]================= --> Press Release
(Salt Lake County) - Health officials from the Salt Lake Valley Health Department (SLVHD) (http://www.slvhealth.org/) are reporting that one of the circulating flu strains within Salt Lake County, Type A H1N1, has been reported as resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu?) (http://www.tamiflu.com/?utm_campaign=Tamiflu%20-%20Branded%202008-2009&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=Tamiflu%20-%20General&utm_term=tamiflu), an antiviral frequently used to treat and limit influenza illness, in studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/?s_cid=internal6).
Salt Lake County currently has several reported cases of influenza typed as resistant to the popular antiviral. Tamiflu resistance first emerged several years ago in Europe and Asia. Although this is the first time that antiviral resistance has effected the United States population, it has arrived with staggering numbers. Roughly 99 percent of all flu swabs sent to the CDC so far this season have shown a Tamiflu-resistant strain.
"All of our preliminary data indicates that this year's flu shot is a good match to the circulating influenza strains, including the one resistant to Tamiflu" says Dr. Dagmar Vitek, SLVHD medical director. "In light of the surprising prevalence of Type A H1N1 in Utah, the flu shot by far provides the best protection against getting influenza this season."
It's not too late to get your flu shot. Flu shots are still available at all SLVHD public health clinics for $10. Last year Salt Lake County had a total of 187 hospitalized cases, with the flu season peaking in February.
Influenza typically kills about 36,000 Americans every year, according to CDC estimates. Most at risk are the elderly or very young, and people with problems like asthma or heart disease. Flu vaccination is recommended for children ages 6 months up to their 19th birthday, pregnant women, people over 50 years of age, individuals with chronic medical conditions and those who care for individuals with a high risk of flu complications.
(Courtesy The Salt Lake Valley Health Department)