The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported the identification of the first human case of a swine flu strain resembling one circulating in pigs. The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, exhibited respiratory symptoms, leading to the confirmation of infection with the A(H1N2)v variant of the H1N2 virus.
Meera Chand, the incident director at UKHSA, noted that while this virus is similar to those found in pigs, it’s the first instance of detection in humans in the UK. The agency is actively tracing close contacts to minimize potential spread.
Despite the person having fully recovered since the diagnosis, this marks the initial detection of A(H1N2)v in the United Kingdom, with 50 global cases recorded since 2005.
The individual was reportedly diagnosed during routine national flu surveillance in North Yorkshire. The source of the infection is currently unknown, and investigations are ongoing. The person is not known to have worked with pigs, prompting authorities to ascertain the origin of the infection.
Meera Chand emphasized the agency’s commitment to swift contact tracing and containment measures. Investigations aim to determine how the individual contracted the infection and assess the presence of any related cases.
Swine flu encompasses three major subtypes—H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2—found in pigs, occasionally infecting humans. The H1N1 subtype caused a human pandemic in 2009, commonly known as swine flu, which now circulates seasonally among humans.
Pig-keepers have been alerted to report any suspicions of swine flu in their herds to local veterinarians promptly.
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