Health authorities prepare to limit flu drug use

By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA (Reuters) - The two drugs used to treat the influenza should be used carefully and only when needed for the chronically ill, pregnant women and other vulnerable patients, global health officials said on Tuesday.

The new H1N1 swine flu appears to be a little more contagious and a little more severe than seasonal influenza but only patients who need them the most should get the drugs, in part to keep the drugs working well in case the swine flu becomes more dangerous, said Dr. Nikki Shindo of the World Health Organisation.

Other health officials expressed worries that swine flu could mix with other viruses, including H5N1 bird flu, and become worse in the coming months.

"We will recommend to consider the use of antivirals for high-risk groups or the group of people at increased risk, depending on the availability," Shindo told a news briefing.

The new virus has been confirmed in 5,251 patients in 30 countries, WHO said. Cases were reported around the world, with Colombia confirming six cases, and two cases each in Finland LC625474, Thailand SP471175 and China .

The United States has the most, with 3,009 confirmed cases in 45 states, nearly 600 more probable cases and three deaths. Mexico has 58 confirmed deaths and Canada and Costa Rica each have confirmed one death from the infection.

The United States has only 116 hospitalized cases but Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centresfor Disease Control and Prevention said pregnant women appeared especially vulnerable to H1N1, just as they are to seasonal flu, and should get prompt treatment.

"We have about 20 cases under investigation right now where the H1N1 virus has been found in association with pregnancy," Schuchat told reporters. Pregnant women risk dehydration and premature delivery when they have flu, she said.