The H5N1 avian influenza virus is showing resistance to Tamiflu, a potent antiviral medication that countries around the world are currently stockpiling to prevent the threat of a global avian flu pandemic.
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Tamiflu, produced by Roche |
That is the warning issued by health experts from Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong on September 30. They reported that through research, the H5N1 virus strain affecting humans this year in several northern provinces of Vietnam shows signs of potential resistance to Tamiflu. This phenomenon has also been observed in cases of avian influenza in Japan.
In light of this situation, experts are urging pharmaceutical companies to ramp up production of Relenza, another antiviral drug that is effective against the H5N1 virus, emphasizing that reliance on a single medication is insufficient to combat such a dangerous disease.
On the same day, ASEAN countries agreed to establish a regional fund of approximately $2 million to combat avian influenza and other related animal diseases. This agreement was reached at the ASEAN Agriculture Ministers’ conference held in the Philippines.
In a joint statement following the conference, the ministers approved a long-term action plan aimed at preventing the spread of avian influenza.
