The United Kingdom has detected its first human case of a new variant of influenza A(H1N2)v in a person who experienced a mild respiratory illness but has since recovered, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported.
The agency said that based on preliminary information, the infection detected is a distinct clade , different from other human cases of influenza A(H1N2) seen in other countries, but similar to viruses circulating in pigs in the United Kingdom.
The case was detected through routine influenza surveillance carried out by UKHSA and the Royal College of General Practitioners.
The source of the infection remains under investigation and close contact tracing is being carried out by the UKHSA. Surveillance has also increased in North Yorkshire, where the case was identified.
Meera Chand , incident manager at UKHSA, said: “Through routine flu surveillance and genome sequencing we have been able to detect this virus. We are working quickly to trace close contacts and reduce any potential spread. In accordance with established protocols, investigations are being carried out to find out how the individual acquired the infection and to evaluate if there are more associated cases.”
The government also updated its guidelines on the detection and prevention of swine flu in pigs and humans. It says that in humans swine flu causes symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu and is usually not life-threatening.
Commenting on the situation, Peter Openshaw, professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London, said: “This is newsworthy because it is the first time it has been detected in humans in the UK, but it is not the first case in humans. Since 2005, 50 human cases of A(H1N2)v have been reported worldwide.
“Without evidence of human-to-human transmission, this is not particularly concerning; It shows that surveillance is working,” she added.
