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The Department of Health's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) today (February 18) detected another case of resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in a strain of human swine influenza (HSI) virus.
A department spokesman said the virus was identified during PHLSB's routine sensitivity tests of the HSI virus to oseltamivir and zanamivir.
"This is the 12th case of Tamiflu resistance to HSI virus detected in Hong Kong.
"Tests showed that this strain is sensitive to zanamivir (Relenza)," he said.
The virus was isolated from the specimen taken from a two-year-old girl who enjoyed good past health. The girl presented with fever, cough and runny nose since February 11. She was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on February 12. She has been discharged and is now in stable condition.
The virus in her nasopharyngeal specimen taken on February 13 tested positive for influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (human swine influenza) and was found to be resistant to Tamiflu but sensitive to Relenza.
One of her parents had influenza-like illness symptoms, sought medical attention and is in stable condition.
Centre for Health Protection's investigation continues.
The case will be reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The spokesman said that Hong Kong has an intensive surveillance system for antiviral resistant influenza viruses. The PHLSB conducts routine sensitivity tests on specimens taken from confirmed HSI patients.
"So far more than 6,900 HSI virus samples have been tested for antiviral sensitivity in Hong Kong," he said.
"We will closely liaise with the WHO and overseas health authorities to monitor the global development of antiviral-resistant HSI virus."
Ends/Friday, February 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:14
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