Antiviral vaccine side effects may overshadow benefits - 12 Aug 2009
A recent report in the British Medical Journal revealed that the most widely distributed antiviral medicines for the swine flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, rarely prevent problems in children ages 1 through 12. Moreover, unpleasant side effects such as vomiting have been reported in youngsters, and for all ages, widespread use of these antivirals increases the chance of developing resistance.
Globally, the official count of those who have lost their lives to swine flu so far are 1,735, from 215,090 confirmed cases in at least 168 countries and territories.
However, the World Health Organization has stated that these do not even approach real numbers due to the rapidity with which the virus is spreading.
In Hong Kong, another person has succumbed to the disease, while 191 new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to 5,809 afflicted, with 69 hospitalized. Romania has reported a nearly 30 percent increase in cases with now a total of 222, and Âu Lạc (Vietnam) saw 115 new cases over the weekend, bringing the total to 1,158.
The Maharashtra state government in India is closing schools, malls, and cinemas in the Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad region to protect public health from the rapid spread of the swine flu.
So far, India has reported 800 infected people, 10 of whom have passed away.
