H1N1 Sweeps Australia/New Zealand; Drug-Resistant Strain Indentified In Hong Kong and Japan

July 5, 2009 (LPAC)—Both Japan and Hong Kong have identified cases of the swine influenza A/H1N1 virus that are resistant to the anti-viral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir). Anti-viral drugs do not prevent infection, but can reduce the severity and duration of signs and symptoms, if applied early on, and thus reduce the number of life-threatening cases.

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also reported July 3, that initial production of vaccines for the new swine flu is way below the number projected. Health officials said doses likely would be available to 14 million to 17 million people, instead of the 25 million covered by earlier projections. The lower estimate is mainly due to the slow pace at which the new influenza stock is being developed, further evidence of what British genocide achieved by its stalling tactics against the WHO declaring a Level 6 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the H1N1 strain is sweeping Australia/New Zealand, now in its winter season. Australia now has just under 5,000 reported cases of swine flu, with 10 deaths. The state of Victoria has the largest concentration with 1,691 cases. New Zealand reported its first deaths - a young girl and two adult men. As the severity of symptoms still remains mild in most cases, the actual number of infections is expected to be many times greater.

The rate of spread of H1N1 in the Southern Hemisphere, has prompted yet another expert, Prof. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University to add his voice to those who believe the H1N1 swine flu will become the dominant strain in the next influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere this fall. (Unless it comes sooner.)