CDC advises healthcare providers to administer antivirals as soon as possible to all flu patients who are hospitalized or at risk of severe disease
CDC published analysis of these new H1N1 viruses with mutations I223V and S247N in their Emerging Infectious Diseases journal
Flu vaccination can still offer protection against viruses with these mutations
Further research needed to determine impact on real-world effectiveness of oseltamivir against new strains
New strains carry genetic changes that could potentially reduce effectiveness of oseltamivir
Total of 101 sequences submitted to global virus database GISAID from various regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania
Two cases of new H1N1 flu strain with potential oseltamivir resistance detected in the US
Two U.S. cases identified by labs at Connecticut Department of Health and University of Michigan during fall and winter seasons in 2023-2024
Two human cases of a new strain of H1N1 influenza, known as the 'dual mutant' flu, have been detected in the United States. These strains carry genetic changes that could potentially reduce the effectiveness of oseltamivir, a widely used antiviral medication for treating flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an analysis of these new H1N1 viruses with mutations I223V and S247N in their Emerging Infectious Diseases journal this week. These mutations alter key surface proteins of the virus, raising concerns about potential resistance to oseltamivir.
The two U.S. cases were identified by labs at the Connecticut Department of Health and University of Michigan during fall and winter seasons in 2023-2024. Since these mutations first appeared in May 2023, a total of 101 sequences have been submitted to the global virus database GISAID from various regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. These make up less than 1% of flu virus sequences during that time.
The CDC advises healthcare providers to administer antivirals as soon as possible to all flu patients who are hospitalized or at risk of severe disease. The agency emphasizes the importance of ongoing vigilance and research in addressing emerging challenges posed by mutations in the flu virus, ensuring that healthcare providers have the necessary tools and information to effectively manage flu outbreaks.
It is important to note that these mutations do not necessarily indicate a significant reduction in oseltamivir's effectiveness. Further research is needed to determine their impact on real-world effectiveness. The CDC also notes that flu vaccination can still offer protection against viruses with these mutations.
At least two human cases of the new 'dual mutant' strains of H1N1 influenza have been detected in U.S. patients.
The mutations, I223V and S247N, could reduce the effectiveness of the main flu antiviral oseltamivir.
Lab experiments found the mutated viruses were up to 16 times less sensitive to the antiviral, but still sensitive to other anti-influenza medications like baloxavir marboxil.
The CDC states that there are no immediate implications for clinical care and flu vaccination can still offer protection against viruses with these mutations.
Since the mutations first appeared in May 2023, a total of 101 sequences have been submitted to the global virus database GISAID from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. These make up less than 1% of flu virus sequences during that time.
The two U.S. cases were detected by labs at the Connecticut Department of Health and University of Michigan this past fall and winter.
At least two cases of the new 'dual mutant' H1N1 influenza strains, which have genetic changes that could reduce the effectiveness of the main flu antiviral oseltamivir, have been detected in US patients.
The CDC is closely tracking these new dual mutant flu strains as they appear to still be rare but have been detected on multiple continents.
Oseltamivir, which is the most commonly prescribed treatment for flu, ranks as the most commonly prescribed antiviral and was used to treat humans infected by the ongoing H5N1 bird flu outbreak in dairy farms this year.
The two concerning mutations I223V and S247N were first detected in a case sampled from British Columbia in May 2023, and since then, a total of 101 sequences have been submitted to the global virus database GISAID from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.
The CDC urges doctors to give flu antivirals as soon as possible to all flu patients who are hospitalized or at risk of severe disease.
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The article does not make any editorializing or pontification statements. It reports on the findings of scientific studies and quotes experts in the field. However, it does use emotional manipulation by stating that the new flu strains are 'drug-resistant' and 'dual mutant' in the title and throughout the article, which could potentially create fear in readers. The article also uses selective reporting by only mentioning two studies that found resistance to oseltamivir, while not mentioning any studies that found no resistance or conflicting results. Additionally, it does not disclose if the studies referenced are peer-reviewed or pre-print.
At least two human cases of the new so-called 'dual mutant' strains of H1N1 influenza have been detected in U.S. patients
It follows a report by scientists from Hong Kong who first tested the mutations... Their lab experiments, published in March, found the two mutations appeared to raise H1N1’s resistance to the flu treatment oseltamivir
The most commonly prescribed antiviral The CDC has long been closely tracking potential mutations to the flu virus that could lead to resistance to oseltamivir.
