A new strain of swine flu, similar to a flu virus currently circulating in pigs, has been detected for the first time in a human in the UK. The person was diagnosed with the infection, influenza A(H1N2)v, after visiting his GP in North Yorkshire with respiratory problems.
At this time, it is still unknown if the person involved worked with pigs, but he has already fully recovered. The source of the infection is still unknown and is under investigation. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it is closely monitoring the situation and is taking steps to increase surveillance within existing programs involving GP surgeries and hospitals.
New swine flu in the UK
So far, a total of 50 human cases of influenza A(H1N2)v have been reported worldwide since 2005; but none of them are genetically related to this strain. H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2 are important subtypes of swine influenza A viruses in pigs and occasionally infect humans. Based on initial information, the UKHSA said the strain detected in the UK differs from recent human cases of H1N2 in other parts of the world but is similar to viruses in UK pigs.
Meera Chand, incident manager at UKHSA, said: “This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, although it is very similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs.”
Veterinary director Christine Middlemiss said: “We know that some animal diseases can be transmitted to humans, which is why high standards of animal health, welfare, and biosecurity are so important. Through our animal and human surveillance systems, we work together to protect everyone. “In this case, we are providing specialist veterinary and scientific expertise to support UKHSA research.”
A new pandemic?
Influenza often crosses the species barrier, infecting people in close contact with animals. That’s why people who work with chickens are tested for bird flu, which is caused by another strain of the virus. But even if there is a human case of an animal virus, that’s usually the end of the story. The virus is not transmitted because it is not adapted enough to human cells to spread from person to person.
Officially, there is no evidence of human transmission of the new swine flu virus. But it’s hard to see an alternative explanation at this point. That does not mean we are on the brink of a new pandemic. The strain could disappear as quickly as it appeared. The World Health Organization notes that swine flu viruses generally do not infect humans, although outbreaks have occasionally been reported in people in direct contact with pigs.
However, scientists are trying to understand more about the virus to assess its ability to transmit and also to make sure it does not pose a greater risk to vulnerable people, either due to age or underlying health conditions. Therefore, swine flu will be a very controversial topic on social networks.
This story was written in Spanish by Miguel Fernández in Cultura Colectiva News
