Singapore: Researchers from the University of Alabama declared that they have clinched a new flu drug that can alleviate most flu symptoms in just a single shot. The drug peramivir, needs to be administered as a single intramuscular jab and is proven to be safe and effective against influenza.

The study conducted on 427 adults indicated that the single dose of the drug, significantly reduced flu symptoms within 22 hours and fever within 24 hours. According to the Center for Disease Control statistics, approximately 36,000 people die and 2, 00,000 are hospitalized, due to flu every year in the United States.

Dr Rich Whitley, lead researcher, said, "Peramivir could be a potentially exciting alternative to existing flu treatments. The goal is to keep people away from hospitals and prevent them from dying." He added that the drug was currently under clinical trials and was hopeful that the drug would be approved by the FDA.

Dr William Schaffner, infectious disease specialist, said, "The drug would be a terrific boon for the amelioration of influenza and its complications. It will allow doctors to administer treatments early before aggravating the disease."