Dutch Officials Report First Swine Flu Patient Resistant To Tamiflu

Amsterdam, Netherlands (AHN) - Dutch health authorities are reporting the first case of a swine flu-infected patient resistant to the anti-viral drug Tamiflu. Currently the patient remains hospitalized.

The Royal Institute for Public Health and the Environment RIVM, which is currently spearheading his recovery efforts and conducting tests, has declined to identify the hospital or release further details about the patient's condition.

Officials have revealed that the patient's relatives are currently being tested for swine flu. They also say that drug-resistant strains of the virus  "do not spread quickly," and there is absolutely no reason for panic. Prior to Wednesday's announcement the World Health Organization previously recorded a total of 39 cases of Tamiflu-resistant patients. Health officials say drug resistance occurs when a virus undergoes a spontaneous mutation.

What makes this case worrisome is when viral resistance occurs, Tamiflu is no longer an option. Thereby meaning there are no other drugs available to treat the patient's swine flu illness.

The Netherlands received 34 million swine flu vaccines this week. The WHO is reporting that more than 5,700 people worldwide have died from the virus since its detection in April.