London, United Kingdom: UK public health officials have confirmed the first human case of the swine flu strain, influenza A(H1N2)v.
This is similar to flu viruses circulating in pigs in the UK. The case was detected as part of a routine flu screening test at a GP surgery in North Yorkshire.
As per the statements, the person infected had a mild illness but is now fully recovered. The person is not known to have worked with pigs and investigation will focus on the origin of the infection and its risk to human health.
Ms. Meera Chand, Incident Director at the Health Security Agency, stated that, “This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, though it is very similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs. We are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce any potential spread.”
However, this strain of flu has crossed from pigs to humans and has been reported in 50 cases globally in the past 20 years, including some in the United States.
According to health officials, the infection discovered in the UK is genetically different from recent human cases of swine flu globally, but similar to viruses in UK pigs.
The new Health Secretary, Ms. Victoria Atkins, remarked that, “It’s good that this case has been spotted – please trust the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to do their job and to monitor carefully,”
People with flu-like symptoms are advised to avoid contact with others, especially the elderly and vulnerable, with other health conditions.
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