Four cases of H1N1 Tamiflu resistant

DURHAM, N.C., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Four patients with H1N1 influenza at Duke University Hospital in Durham,N.C., were resistant to Tamiflu, university officials confirmed Friday.

A team of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the North Carolina Public Health Department, Durham County Health Department and Duke University are working collaboratively to better understand the nature of the cases, which occurred in the past six weeks, the school said.

All four patients were very ill with underlying severely compromised immune systems and multiple other complex medical conditions.

"We're partnering with all of the involved agencies to examine these cases," Dr.Daniel Sexton, director of the Duke infection control outreach network, said in a statement.

"Our extensive investigation thus far has revealed that appropriate infection control procedures have been diligently practiced on this isolated unit, and throughout the hospital, and we have experienced no illness among employees taking care of these patients in the affected unit over this period of time."

CDC reported that all confirmed cases of oseltamivir-resistant virus to date have been susceptible to zanamivir, or Relenza, a second anti-viral medication used to treat H1N1. At this time, CDC does not recommend any changes in anti-viral guidance.