Roche has bumped up shipments of Tamiflu to some Western and Midwestern states that have been hit by a surge in flu cases. Roche had stopped shipments to various spots around the globe after it appeared that the hotly sought after drug was being hoarded by people fearful of avian flu. The drug is also useful against common strains of influenza. Governments around the globe have been clamoring for stockpiles of Tamiflu, which has proven to be effective in treating the symptoms of bird flu.
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ALSO: Turkish officials have confirmed the death of a teenager from bird flu, the first such death outside Asia. A sister of the victim has been hospitalized in serious condition and a second sibling is also believed to have contracted the disease. Health officials have been carefully tracking avian flu cases, alarmed by the prospect the virus could mutate and trigger a human pandemic. Report
PLUS: Chicken industry groups say they'll start testing U.S. bird flocks sent to slaughter. Report