Physicians have been informed by state health officials about the fact that the viruses apparently  have experienced a genetic change that has not been observed in virus samples from other states.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control have performed lab tests revealing that the modified viruses are less responsive to Tamiflu in the laboratory, but they are not totally resistant.

A state health department spokeswoman, Julie Henry, said that this most likely would not affect the average person, but that it is serious enough to inform physicians about this genetic change so that they can make the best treatment decisions.

Antiviral drugs remain the best treatment for those hospitalized with the flu, but doctors need to be alerted to the fact that since there has been a change in specific influenza B viruses, Tamiflu may not work as well in certain patients as it usually does.

From November to February, about 31 viruses were collected from 92 samples from North Carolina that showed the genetic change. Most of these patients had the usual flu symptoms and got better after a few days. This said, one patient did die soon after they were diagnosed with the flu, but they had extreme underlying immune conditions.

The CDC is currently testing more flue viruses from North Carolina as well as some surrounding states. The agency has also begun a telephone survey of residents in N.C. who have tested positive for influenza B.

Even though influenza B infections have been more prevalent this season, some physicians say that there is not a greater risk with them  than there is with other flu strains. They want to remind people that the very best way to keep the flu from spreading is to wash your hands, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home if you are sick, and avoid those that are sick at your home.

State and local authorities, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the international health community have increased public awareness, testing and surveillance in an attempt to try to terminate the disease before it becomes a global epidemic.

The outbreak developed in Mexico where more than 100 people have died and more than 1,500 have become sick in recent weeks. In the capital and the states of Mexico and San Luis Potosi, schools have been canceled until May 6. Tons of public events such as concerts and sports events have been halted to keep the virus from spreading in large crowds. Also, zoos were closed and visits to juvenile correction centers were postponed.

The majority of people who died reached out for medical help when it was too late, and the disease became too advanced. Once Sunday rolled around, thousands of Mexicans were bolting to hospitals, although some had just a fever.

It is unsettling that The World Health Organization claims that this new flu strain has “pandemic potential.” A flu pandemic happens when a new influenza virus manifests, people have scarce or no immunity to it, and there’s no vaccine.

Thankfully, there have been no deaths reported yet in the United States, but it was confirmed Sunday that eight students from a New York City high school have tested positive for the disease. Some of these students recently went to Cancun, Mexico. There school has closed as a safety measure. Other cases have been confirmed in California, Kansas, Texas and Ohio.

Janet Napolitano, the Homeland Security Secretary, is leading the federal endeavor to handle the outbreak. Many other departments such as the Health and Human Services and Agriculture are also engaged.

The virus in the U.S. seems to be the same strain as the one in Mexico, but health officials are puzzled as to why the U.S. outbreaks have not been as serious. So far, all the victims in the U.S. have recuperated and only one was hospitalized. Unfortunately, that may change because infectious diseases, especially the flu virus, are unpredictable.

So what exactly is the swine flu? It is a respiratory disease of pigs that is usually common among people who have close contact with pigs. It can spread from person to person because it is so contagious. Swine flu has the same symptoms as the human flu such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills and fatigue.

All citizens are urged to help stop the spread of this dreaded disease. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services urges anyone with flu symptoms who has recently traveled to Mexico or one of the five U.S. states with confirmed cases, to contact your doctor or a health-care provider right away. Also, if you have flu symptoms, stay home from work or school to prevent the disease from spreading. Do not go back until two days after your symptoms are gone. Of course, always cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands often throughout the day! Important to mention is that the disease can not be contracted by eating pork.

Experts claim that this breakthrough could usher the process of a flu vaccine that would not have to be altered annually. And they can fight the virus in ways that drugs such as Tamiflu can’t, with the antibodies that are already developed. One researcher estimated that within 3 years, clinical trials will commence to show evidence that the antibodies are safe for people.

On February 22, the study that was performed by researchers from Harvard Medical School, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, was published in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.

Although one researcher said that they had found “a viral Achilles heel”, and a flu specialist called it “a big advance in itself, and one that shows what’s possible for other rapidly evolving pathogens,”, Henry Niman, a biochemist who tracks flu mutations is skeptical. He claims that immune systems of humans would have wiped out the flu virus a long time ago if the virus was as weak in one area like the discovery suggests. He also said that it took large amounts of antibodies to protect the mice in the study, which are costly and hard to infuse.

This cautionary notice is an early alert to doctors. According to Dr. Julie Gerberding, if present situations continue, we may need to alter how we treat patients this flu season. She is the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fortunately, health officials say they are not excessively worried for a couple of reasons. First of all, it is still early in the flu season and we’re not sure that this certain strain will continue to take control through the season. Secondly, there are not that any people who take antiviral medicines for the flu and last of all, the flu vaccine appears to be well matched to the bugs that are currently out there.

But William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert, warns that doctors do need to carefully consider the danger of this new resistance.

The first case of the flu in N.C. was diagnosed in late December. Health officials are hoping that more people will get the flu shot. The supply is abundant this year.

All children from age 6 months to 18 years of age should be vaccinated against the flu, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also recommend a vaccination for any adults who want to protect  themselves from getting the flu. Those strongly encouraged to get vaccinated are adults 50 and older, people with chronic medical conditions like asthma, people who are in contact with people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and health care workers.

Other than getting the flu shot, other actions to stop the spread of the flu and other respiratory diseases should be taken. These include covering coughs and sneezes, using tissues and disposing of them after use, washing hands frequently, and staying home if you have flu symptoms.

In the United States the flu causes 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations each year.,