Roche claims Tamiflu increases survival in bird flu patients

Doctors in countries experiencing the worst effects of the H5N1 influenza virus – more commonly known as bird flu – have said that there is an increased survival rate among patients who have been treated with Tamiflu, an oral antiviral.

Revealed this week during the Singapore-based International Symposium on Respiratory Viral Infections, this data may reinforce a previous advisory made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) stating that Tamiflu is a “strongly recommended antiviral” for humans infected with the H5N1 virus.

Citing research carried out earlier this year by the World Health Organisation, Riche reported that Tamiflu has been the only antiviral used to treat the H5N1 virus out of laboratory situations. It is thought that the disease has killed a total of 234 people in 12 countries.

“Antiviral drugs are an essential component for the early control of an influenza pandemic,” said Dr Elena Govorkova of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, who authored the most recent study on the drug.

The Chicago Tribune reported that it is likely that anti-flu drugs, including Tamiflu, are “playing an unusually prominent role this year” and that many people are opting to be vaccinated as a preventative measure.