DHSS Press Release

ANTI-VIRAL RESISTANT FLU CASE IDENTIFIED

Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) is following up on an antiviral-resistant influenza case identified March 2 in a child from Kent County. The child was not hospitalized and has fully recovered. This is Delaware’s first known case of influenza resistant to oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) treatment for the 2010-2011 flu season.

The case under investigation tested positive for influenza A / H1N1 in mid-February. The specimen – part of a random sample submitted for routine anti-viral resistance testing – was reported as oseltamivir-resistant the first week of March. Oseltamivir is the preferred treatment for confirmed cases of influenza. Resistance to oseltamivir is very rare, occurring in just 0.5 percent of cases studied during the 2009-2010 flu season. There is no reason to change treatment approaches at this time.

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 at 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.