Oct 16, 2005
The Straits Times
BUCHAREST - A DOUBLE dose of bad news came yesterday in the battle
against bird flu.
First, the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus has been confirmed in
Romania, making its first appearance in Europe.
As countries worldwide rushed to build up their stockpile of
Tamiflu, blow No. 2 came - the virus is showing signs of resistance
to the drug.
The new finding, detected in a girl in Vietnam, raises the
possibility that Tamiflu might be less useful than anticipated if
resistant strains of the virus become more prevalent.
Dr Yoshihiro Kawaoka, one of the researchers in the study published
in the journal Nature, suggested that it might be useful to stock
up as well on alternatives such as Relenza.
Test results on samples from Romania yesterday confirmed the
presence of H5NI, two days after its detection in Turkey sparked
off a scramble for anti-viral drugs.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) immediately voiced concern at
the Romanian outbreak, noting that it 'increases the possibility of
transmission to humans'.
Experts such as Dr David Nabarro, the United Nations' bird flu
coordinator, explained yesterday that as the H5N1 spreads, it could
speed up its mutation into a virus that is transmitted easily among
humans.
The fear is that the mutant form could trigger a flu pandemic that
might kill millions. H5N1 has already killed more than 60 people in
Asia.
Dr Klaus Stoehr, director of the WHO's influenza programme, said
yesterday: 'We don't know whether a pandemic will break out in the
coming weeks, months or only in years.
'But there's no question that if such a pandemic occurs, we'll be
looking at hundreds of thousands or even millions of deaths
worldwide.'
He added that all countries needed to assume that the flu would
spread further.
The European Union called on governments of the 25-nation bloc to
stockpile anti-viral drugs, and said people at risk should ensure
they are vaccinated against regular influenza.
Romania has not reported any cases of bird flu so far in humans.
Turkey tested nine people for possible bird flu on Friday after 40
pigeons died, but no signs of illness were detected.
As poultry sales plunged, officials in Turkey and Romania sought to
assure an increasingly nervous public that there was no danger from
eating cooked poultry.
Amid the growing bird flu fears, some firms have started supplying
staff travelling to Asia with anti-viral drugs.
Companies such as Deutsche Bank are also working out contingency
plans, including repatriation for their workers, should the virus
mutate into a form that poses a serious threat to human health, the
BBC reported. -- AP, AFP, Reuters
