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The UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Monday the first case of a rare influenza A (H1N2) virus in a human, similar to strains found in pigs in the country. This marks the initial detection of this flu strain in a human in the UK. The UKHSA is actively studying the pathogen’s characteristics and assessing its potential risk to human health.
Globally, there have been 50 reported cases of influenza A(H1N2)v in humans since 2005, but none genetically related to this particular strain. This strain of Influenza A(H1N2)v had not been previously identified in humans in the UK. Human infections from swine influenza viruses occur sporadically. The infection found in the UK is a distinct clade (1b.1.1), differing from recent human cases of influenza A(H1N2) worldwide but sharing similarities with viruses in UK swine, as stated by the UKHSA.
The patient detected with H1N2 exhibited respiratory symptoms as part of routine national flu surveillance conducted by the UKHSA and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). Although the patient experienced a mild illness and has since fully recovered, the source of the infection remains under investigation.
Dr. Meera Chand, Incident Director at UKHSA, mentioned, “Routine flu surveillance and genome sequencing have enabled us to identify this virus. This marks the first instance of its detection in humans in the UK, closely resembling viruses found in pigs.”
Efforts are underway to swiftly trace close contacts and minimize potential transmission, according to Dr. Chand. The UKHSA advised individuals with respiratory symptoms to avoid contact with others, especially elderly individuals or those with existing medical conditions, until symptoms subside. Additionally, pig keepers were urged to promptly report any suspicions of Swine Flu in their herds to local veterinarians.
Swine influenza A viruses predominantly consist of major subtypes H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2, occasionally infecting humans after exposure to pigs or contaminated environments.
In 2009, a human pandemic was caused by the influenza virus AH1N1(pdm09), commonly known as ‘Swine Flu.’ This virus contained genetic material from strains circulating in pigs, birds, and humans in the 1990s and 2000s. While Influenza A H1N1(pdm09) now circulates seasonally in humans, it is distinct from current pig-circulating viruses and is no longer referred to as Swine Flu.
