Excreted Tamiflu found in rivers

If birds hosting flu virus are exposed to the waterborne pollutant, they might develop drug-resistant strains, chemists worry

The premier flu-fighting drug is contaminating rivers downstream of sewage-treatment facilities, researchers in Japan confirm. The source: urinary excretion by people taking oseltamivir phosphate, best known as Tamiflu.

FOWL THREAT Tamiflu, the primary flu-fighting drug, is getting into surface waters where ducks and other water birds may pick it up.