Rare Drug-Resistant Flu Variant Detected in U.S.

Cases of the dual mutant flu variant were reported in 15 countries across five continents, which include the two cases in the U.S.

June 19, 2024

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported two human cases of influenza that are resistant to the most popularly antiviral flu medicine oseltamivir phosphate, known by the brand name Tamiflu.

While flu viruses are continually evolving, the CDC’s new infectious diseases report showed this variant contains two major mutations that derive from the most common version of seasonal flu called influenza A (H1N1), WebMD reported.

These concerning mutations could lower the effectiveness of treatment with Tamiflu, CNN reported. The mutated version of the flu virus was not resistant to newer, less used-antiviral drugs, such as baloxavir marboxil, which goes by the brand name Xofluza, the CDC said. In general, flu antiviral drugs have been shown to reduce the severity of the flu, and some studies have reported a link between taking these medicines and a lower risk of death for adults hospitalized with flu, WebMD said.

With active global surveillance for mutations, experts said the threat to humans remains low. Still, c, according to the CDC. However, the dual mutant flu variants cases remain infrequent, amounting to approximately 1% of the samples collected between May 2023 and February 2024.

Since October 2023, an estimated 35 million cases of flu have occurred in the U.S., resulting in 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths, according to the CDC’s weekly FluView publication.

Latest Articles

Unlock the Secrets to Leadership
September 15, 2025 Jeff Cross

Unlock the Secrets to Leadership

September 15, 2025 CMM Staff

The Road to Clean Leads to Las Vegas

September 12, 2025 Jessica Violand-Bruno

The Truth About Waterproof Flooring

Sponsored Articles

Operational Efficiency Meets Sustainability
September 11, 2025 Sponsored by Essity Tissue's Tork Brand

Operational Efficiency Meets Sustainability

September 11, 2025 Sponsored by SPARTAN CHEMICAL CO.

Dispensing Made Simple®

September 11, 2025 Sponsored by SOFIDEL AMERICAN CORP

End Costly Clogs with Dissolve Tech®

Recent News

Poor Indoor Air Quality Could Push Younger Workers to Quit

Poor Indoor Air Quality Could Push Younger Workers to Quit

Celebrate International Housekeeping and Environmental Services Week 2025

IAQ Bill Proposed to Establish Nationwide Assessments in Schools