New mutant form of swine flu discovered

June 16, 2011

June 15, 2011 5:38 PM EST

A new mutant form of swine flu was discovered by scientists, which is resistant

to the anti-viral drugs on the market.

The new mutations of the deadly swine flu were discovered in Darwin and

Singapore by the World Health Organization in Melbourne. The WHO's Dr. Ian Barr

led the research and calmed fears that the new strain of swine flu can't be

treated. The new strain can still be treated by anti-viral drugs but it will

take longer to cure.

The problem arises when a patient who has swine flu contracts another strain of

the disease.

" What we're concerned about is when this mutation combines with other mutations,

from people who might be under treatment, such as people who are

immunocompromised ... those people may have a higher risk of obtaining a quite

resistant virus which is difficult to treat with at least one of the drugs known

as Tamiflu, " he said in a report from ABC news.

The new strain however is not resistant to BioCryst which has inadvertently

bolstered the shares of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Shares went up to 15% and

to $4.09. The drug companies are still looking into this new strain.

The mutated strain will not change the way physicians treat their patients with

the disease.

" So really it's just steady as she goes and really I wouldn't be too concerned

about this new mutation, " he said. " [it] is scientifically interesting but

clinically it should have no bearing on the treatment. "

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