DHSS Press Release

Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Carl Kanefsky, Communications Director
(302) 255-9047, Pager
Email: carl.kanefsky@delaware.gov

Date: April 18, 2011
DHSS-35-2011

SIXTH ANTI-VIRAL RESISTANT FLU CASE IDENTIFIED

Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) laboratory results confirm a sixth Delaware case of antiviral-resistant influenza for the 2010 - 2011 flu season. A 55 year-old woman from Kent County was infected with an influenza strain found to be resistant to oseltamivir, the preferred treatment antiviral medication used to treat confirmed cases of influenza. There is no reason to change treatment approaches at this time. There are four influenza antiviral medications approved for use in the United States: oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu), zanamivir (brand name Relenza), amantadine (Symmetrel, generic) and rimantadine (Flumadine, generic).

Although it is late in the flu season, as always DPH recommends the following precautions for both the public and clinicians:

Get vaccinated against the flu.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue, or cough/sneeze into your inner elbow and not into your hands.
If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away. This means no fever for at least 24 hours after you have stopped taking any fever-reducing medication. Employers are encouraged to be flexible with their employees on the issue of staying home when ill.

Stay informed about the latest developments on the flu by visiting www.flu.delaware.gov

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

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SIXTH ANTI-VIRAL RESISTANT FLU CASE IDENTIFIED

Delaware's Government