This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8370859.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Drug resistant swine flu hits UK Drug resistant swine flu hits UK
(10 minutes later)
Health officials say a Tamiflu-resistant strain of swine flu has spread between hospital patients.Health officials say a Tamiflu-resistant strain of swine flu has spread between hospital patients.
Five patients on a unit treating people with severe underlying health conditions at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff were infected.Five patients on a unit treating people with severe underlying health conditions at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff were infected.
Three appear to have acquired the infection in hospital.Three appear to have acquired the infection in hospital.
They are thought to be the first confirmed cases of person-to-person transmission of a Tamiflu-resistant strain in the world.They are thought to be the first confirmed cases of person-to-person transmission of a Tamiflu-resistant strain in the world.
There have been several dozen reports around the world of people developing resistance to Tamiflu while taking the drug. There have been several dozen reports around the world of people developing resistance to Tamiflu while taking the drug - but they have not passed on the strain to others.
But there has only been one reported case of person-to-person transmission of a resistant strain - between two people at a US summer camp - and this has never been confirmed. Just one possible cases of person-to-person transmission of a resistant strain has been recorded - between two people at a US summer camp - and this has never been confirmed.
Two of the University Hospital Wales patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospital, one is in critical care and two are being treated on the ward.Two of the University Hospital Wales patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospital, one is in critical care and two are being treated on the ward.
The health officials stressed there was no risk to anyone else.The health officials stressed there was no risk to anyone else.
They said tests were being carried out to confirm exactly what happened.They said tests were being carried out to confirm exactly what happened.
The UK has bought enough doses of Tamiflu, which can shorten the duration of swine flu and reduce the risk of complications, for half the population.The UK has bought enough doses of Tamiflu, which can shorten the duration of swine flu and reduce the risk of complications, for half the population.
Serious concernSerious concern
Any spread of a Tamiflu resistant strain of the illness is a serious public health concern. So any spread of a Tamiflu-resistant strain of the illness is a serious public health concern.
The H1N1 virus has been remarkably stable since it emerged in April, but virologists had been half expecting new resistant strains to emerge.
Dr Roland Salmon, director of the National Public Health Service for Wale's 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.Dr Roland Salmon, director of the National Public Health Service for Wale's 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.""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."
Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, 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.Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, 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."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."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."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.""It's also important that good hygiene practices are followed to further prevent the spread of the virus."
On Thursday it was announced that more than three million healthy children under five across the UK will be offered the swine flu jab.On Thursday it was announced that more than three million healthy children under five across the UK will be offered the swine flu jab.
Figures released on Thursday showed an estimated 53,000 new cases of swine flu in England in the last week, down from 64,000 in the week before.Figures released on Thursday showed an estimated 53,000 new cases of swine flu in England in the last week, down from 64,000 in the week before.
In Scotland, the figure was 21,200, down from about 21,500 in the previous seven days.In Scotland, the figure was 21,200, down from about 21,500 in the previous seven days.
The rate of flu-like illnesses diagnosed by GPs in Wales dropped to 36 cases for every 100,000 people from 65.8 the previous week.The rate of flu-like illnesses diagnosed by GPs in Wales dropped to 36 cases for every 100,000 people from 65.8 the previous week.