'Superflu' arrives in Scotland

Published on Monday 1 December 2008 00:23

TWO cases of a so-called superflu which is resistant to a common type of anti-viral treatment have been identified in Scotland, it was reported last night.

The patients have been diagnosed with the strain of the illness which does not respond to the drug Tamiflu, it was claimed.

Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist for Health Protection Scotland, said that symptoms caused by the resistant virus were no more severe than those triggered by normal influenza, but there were fewer treatment options. The other two common flu drugs have worked against the virus.

"We have not seen the appearance of multiple-drug resistance, we have just seen this one medicine with this particular virus," Dr McMenamin said.

"We are continuing to make sure samples are tested to see if there are any other resistance patterns."

He added it was essential for people who were vulnerable to the illness to receive a flu jab from their GP. The resistant strain was first identified in more than 20 European countries during the last flu season.