The UK reported last Monday that the first human case of the A(H1N2)v flu strain was confirmed. The flu strain is similar to a virus that is spreading across pigs.
First Human Case of Flu Strain Similar to Swine Flu
The individual involved in the case reportedly went through a mild illness and had already fully recovered.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the case was picked up during routinary national flu surveillance. Meera Chand, the incident director at UKHSA, explains that this is the first time a human case of the virus has been confirmed in the UK, adding that the strain is very similar to the viruses that have been picked up among pigs.
The infection source remains unknown. Authorities are following up on the close contacts in the case. The situation was also being monitored, with heightened surveillance in hospitals and surgeries in North Yorkshire.
The UKHSA also notes that, based on early data regarding the recently reported first human case, the infection was different from the other 50 or so human cases of the virus strain that were reported in different areas around the globe since 2005.
Swine Flu Pandemic
Back in 2009, the swine flu pandemic left millions of people infected. Moreover, around 284,400 deaths were recorded due to the virus back then. The pandemic was declared to be over in August 2010.
Prior to this pandemic, the virus was never identified as leading to human infections. Based on genetic analyses, the virus apparently came from animal influenza viruses and is not related to the seasonal H1N1 viruses among humans that have been circulating since 1977.
Following early influenza outbreak reports in North America back in April 2009, the virus rapidly spread globally. When the 2009 swine flu pandemic was declared, the strain had already affected 74 territories and countries. These 74 areas had reported confirmed infections.
In contrast to usual seasonal patterns of flu, the novel virus led to high summer infection levels in the northern hemisphere. It was also linked to even higher activity levels during months that were cooler.
Most individuals who get infected with the flu end up healing on their own. However, the flu itself and its complications may end up being deadly, especially for those who already have heightened risk.
Swine flu symptoms are largely similar to the symptoms of other viruses. Symptoms generally include muscle aches, fever, cough, sweats and chills, sore throat, red and watery eyes, stuffy or runny notes, headache, body aches, eye pain, diarrhea, weakness and tiredness, and stomach sickness. These symptoms tend to surface around one to four days post-exposure.
The H1N1 (2009) virus strain now keeps on circulating as a seasonal virus. It is part of the vaccines for combating seasonal influenza.
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