Health officials in Japan say 42 people have died after taking Tamiflu, but that only two deaths resulted from taking the anti-influenza drug.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced Friday that reports of three more deaths had been received, bringing to 42 the number of people who had died in Japan after taking Tamiflu, the Mainichi Shimbun reported.
Fourteen of the victims were aged 16 years or younger, the ministry said.
Only two deaths -- a man in his 50s and another man in his 80s -- were said to be caused by using Tamiflu, the officials said.
The other 40 deaths were believed to be not directly linked to the drug.
The health ministry on Jan. 14 announced a plan to stockpile 25 million courses of Tamiflu to counter the threat of an avian flu outbreak.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
