Singapore Confirms First Tamiflu-Resistant A/H1N1 Case

2009-08-15 00:11:15 Xinhua Web Editor: Wu Tong

Singapore's Ministry of Health on Friday confirmed that the country has found its first Tamiflu- resistant A/H1N1 case.

A Health Ministry spokesperson said that the isolated case involved a patient who fell sick towards the end of May and was admitted to hospital for isolation and treatment.

The patient was infected by a Tamiflu-susceptible strain of the virus and treated with Tamiflu. The resistant strain emerged during treatment and was detected through laboratory testing but by then the patient had already improved clinically.

"Patients can recover from their illness even if they are infected with a Tamiflu-resistant influenza strain because the immune system plays an important part in clearing the body of the virus," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson did not reveal the age and gender of the patient.

"So far, we have not detected any other cases of antiviral resistance. We will continue to conduct surveillance for antiviral resistance," the spokesperson said.

Singapore reported its first confirmed case of flu A/H1N1 on May 27. The country's first A/H1N1 related death case was reported on July 18. The country has reported 11 A/H1N1 related death cases so far.

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