The first cases of swine flu resistant to Tamiflu in the country came from a Henderson County camp.
Two campers from Camp Blue Star in Henderson County are resistant to Tamiflu, an antiviral for the swine flu.
One camper resides in Buncombe County and the other lives in Florida.
“Both are fine,” said Tom Bridges, Health Director for the Henderson County Health Department.
The campers became ill with swine flu in July while receiving Tamiflu for exposure to other ill campers. Both had mild illness and have since recovered. The two cases were discovered by the CDC through testing of samples submitted by Henderson County Health Department through the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health. Camp Blue Star completed all camp sessions planned and is now closed for the season.
State Epidemiologist Megan Davies said that care givers across the state are being reminded that use of antivirals as prevention may be considered for persons at higher risk of complications due to flu or for health care workers with an unprotected exposure to influenza.
However, watching carefully for symptoms after an exposure and treating early if symptoms develop could be an appropriate alternative in these settings. Overuse of an antiviral drug increases the likelihood for developing resistance to that treatment.
“When it comes to the use of antivirals, our primary concern is that they be used for those who really need them,” Davies said. “Healthy people who are exposed to the flu don’t need to take antivirals for prevention.”
To read more about this story, click here: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20090821/NEWS/908219974/1151?Title=-Local-campers-resistant-to-Tamiflu-first-in-country-
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