# 3627
For the second time, Hong Kong authorities have detected a case of Tamiflu resistant novel H1N1, and this time it comes from a resident not a tourist.
The good news is that this patient was one of 21 people infected in a group home for the disabled, and is apparently the only one known to have developed resistance.
The number of resistant cases detected worldwide remains low; fewer than a dozen, with cases also reported in Denmark, Japan, Canada, and China.
Surveillance for these mutations is patchy at best. So it is likely that there are a good deal more resistant cases out there than have been reported.
The good news is – so far, anyway – we’re not seeing any detectable spread of these resistant viruses.
Scientists remain concerned, and vigilant, as they watch to see if the novel H1N1 virus follows the lead of seasonal H1N1, which over a little over a year’s time became nearly 100% resistant to Tamiflu.
A hat tip to @Dutchy123 on Twitter and Flutrackers for this link.
Tamiflu-resistant swine flu case detected
August 14, 2009
The Centre for Health Protection has detected the first local human swine flu case resistant to Tamiflu, involving a 40-year-old woman resident of a home for the disabled in Eastern District.
Centre Controller Dr Thomas Tsang said today she started taking Tamiflu on July 15 after 21 people at the home fell ill the day before. She came down with a fever, cough and sore throat on July 21 and was sent to Eastern District Hospital. She was confirmed to be infected with swine flu and later recovered.
Laboratory tests available today showed her virus sample was resistant to Tamiflu - the only one among the 21 cases at the home.
Describing the woman's case as an isolated one, Dr Tsang said there is no sign of Tamiflu-resistant cases spreading at the home.
