# 3512
Overnight a vague report from Australia’s ABC News that is supposed to be reassuring, I guess, but leaves one with an important unanswered question.
First the article.
Swine flu isn't resisting anti-virals: Roxon
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says there are no strong signs that swine flu is becoming resistant to the anti-viral medication Tamiflu.
Swine flu has now caused 31 deaths in Australia and nearly 200 people are being treated for it in hospitals.
Ms Roxon has told Channel Nine that Tamiflu is effective, but it needs to be used carefully to avoid resistance developing.
"There's very isolated evidence at the moment that it's becoming resistant," she said.
"But I do agree with doctors that we have to be careful not to over-prescribe this medication.
"It's why we're urging people, the vast majority who have mild symptoms, not to take Tamiflu unless they are in a vulnerable category and unless their doctor recommends that it's necessary."
First, the headline doesn’t really convey the gist of the story, now does it?
A flat statement that Swine flu isn’t showing resistance, followed by an admission in the article that `There’s isolated evidence’ that it is.
It would be nice if we knew if the `isolated evidence’ Health Minister Roxon referred to are the three incidents in Denmark, Hong Kong (ex USA), and Japan that have already been widely reported.
Probably.
But one can’t help but wish that Roxon had taken the time to be a bit more specific. The `no strong signs’ statement sounds like it was drafted by a committee of nervous lawyers.
It isn’t nearly as reassuring as it sounds.
