Japanese researchers decided to test sewage effluent and rivers for traces of Tamiflu. And guess what they found. Too much exposure to Tamiflu by humans and animals increases the risk of drug-resistant strains developing. Birds are a worry: “Wildlife – including waterfowl that can transmit the flu – are exposed to the low and continuous doses of OC during the flu season. This exposure increases the likelihood that an OC resistant virus strain could develop and be picked up by the waterfowl that congregate at sites of sewage effluent discharge. Waterfowl and other birds are identified as animals of high concern in the transmission of new strains of flu virus to humans.”
It’s not like there isn’t enough research – or common sense – around about drug residues and what they might do. But not much is being done about it. What are you supposed to do if you’re taking Tamiflu? Buy a composting toilet?