As reported Friday in the journal Lancet, doctors have successfully treated a patient with H1N1 flu who was nonresponsive to Tamiflu with the antiviral Relenza, administered intravenously, the Associated Press/Yahoo! News reports. "Relenza is usually inhaled via the nose, and is not licensed to be given intravenously," the news service writes. However, as Michael Kidd - of University College London, and the lead author of the study - notes, "[t]his may provide a third route to treat patients that are not responding to antiviral treatment because the active drug is not getting to the lungs." The news service adds, "The World Health Organization said the treatment was likely to be used only in rare circumstances, since it is not easily available and is unlicensed" (Cheng, 9/3).

WHO Director Addresses Need For H1N1 Preparedness Plans, Vaccines During WHO Regional Meeting

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan on Tuesday "called on health officials from across Africa to strengthen their preparedness and response plans in the face of the current influenza pandemic," during the 59th Session of the WHO Regional Committee in Kigali, Rwanda, the New Times/allAfrica reports (Nambi, 9/3). Chan also reiterated the need for H1N1 vaccines to be available to developing countries, the Daily Trust/allAfrica reports (Rabiu, 9/3).

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