Along with the new H1N1 swine-flu virus, officials are keeping a close eye on some nasty seasonal strains. One is widely resistant to oseltamivir, the popular antiviral drug marketed as tamiflu. And an emerging variant of another virus known for hitting the elderly hard isn’t fully covered by this year’s seasonal flu vaccine.
“This season is going to be crazier than ever,” said William Schaffner, an infectious-disease expert at Vanderbilt University.
Government officials, hoping to avoid overloaded clinics and confusion over two different flu vaccines, are urging people to get seasonal flu shots now. The swine flu shot won’t be available at least until mid-October, following clinical trials. The government said Wednesday it plans to launch tests of the swine-flu vaccine in pregnant women this week.
A Los Angeles pharmacy offers flu shots Tuesday to customers. U.S. officials are urging people to get seasonal vaccine, which is now widely available.
Health officials at the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe the new H1N1 swine-flu virus could outmuscle at least some of the seasonal viruses in the northern hemisphere this winter. The new H1N1 flu currently accounts for 76% of influenza viruses circulating globally, according to the WHO.
The new strain overpowered seasonal varieties during flu season in most countries in the southern hemisphere, the WHO said. “Most likely, it will continue predominating,” said Wenqing Zhang, an expert with the WHO’s global influenza program.
Read more here: U.S. Braces for Long Flu Season
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