Report Says Most Flu Resistant to Tamiflu

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – Last year a report found about 12% of those infected with "Type A, N1-H1" influenza showed resistance to Tamiflu.

This year, resistance jumped to 98.5%, making the drug virtually useless. To add to the problem most of this year's flu cases are of the 'Type-A' resistant strain.

Dr. Nila Dharan is with the CDC. She says seeing resistance now doesn't necessarily mean Tamiflu will be ineffective against future strains.

"We could see that this flu virus doesn't circulate next year, and we may not see as high of a resistance and it may not be as much of a problem."

Dharan adds there are other, effective drugs to treat the flu.

Even so, the CDC says the best defense isn't treatment, but prevention. That means frequent hand washing and getting a flu shot.

Jim Burress, WABE News.