Influenza Preventation And Treatment Pose Challenge

The world hangs on a balance as it awaits in fear the next influenza pandemic. experts are debating on the best way to manage seasonal influenza illness. There is combines disappointment and fear on recent reports of studies showing the emergence of osenltamivir resistance in influenza A H1N1 viruses. Oseltamir-resistant influenza virus strains are both communicableble and pathogenic, and the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine has limitations. Oseltamivir blocks the release of influenza virus from infected cells. experts previously believed that oselmativir resistant influenza viruses would be unlikely to arise, and if they did emerge, their virulence would be significantly reduced. However, oselmativir-resistant strains were noted world wide during the 2007-2008 influenza season. There are published reports of a nosocomial out brek of oselmativir-resistant influenza A H1N1 infected a involved in hospital transmission of the strain to several patients including health care workers. Based on surveillance data from 2008 and early part of 2009 influenza seasons, oselmativir-susceptible ones. Journal editorials note that the regional incidence of oselmativir-resistant strains does not correlate with local use of the agent, suggesting that resistant viruses are as “fit” as susceptible viruses and could persist indefinitely. Infectious disease experts acknowledge the unresolved challenges to influenza-control efforts, and highlight the need for disaster-preparedness programs in the case of uncontrolled outbreaks.