Japan’s government warns against abnormal behaviour in people taking antivirals for flu

Local authorities in Japan have been told to take precautions to avoid accidental injury among people with influenza this winter, after the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare reported 54 cases of abnormal behaviour last season among people taking antivirals.

They included two young people who died after jumping from buildings while taking zanamivir (Relenza), the Japan Times reported.1 In most of the cases—38 of the 54—the drug involved was oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

The suggested precautions included installing extra locks on windows and …