Department of Health
The Department of Health is the Government's health adviser and agency to execute healthcare policies and statutory functions. It safeguards the health of the community through promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.
A strain of human swine influenza virus taken from a four-year-old girl has been found to be Tamiflu resistant, the Department of Health confirmed today.
The girl, with a good health record, came down with a fever and cough on February 4. She sought medical attention in Canossa Hospital on February 7 and was prescribed Tamiflu. No hospitalisation was required and the girl is now stable.
The sample tested positive for influenza A virus subtype H1N1 and was found to be resistant to Tamiflu but sensitive to Relenza.
This is the 11th case of Tamiflu resistance to the swine flu virus detected in Hong Kong and will be reported to the World Health Organisation.
There was no evidence of further transmission of Tamiflu-resistant human swine influenza from the patient.
