A Briton has contracted a form of swine flu never seen before in Britain, health authorities announced today.
The unidentified person, believed to be from North Yorkshire, tested positive after visiting his GP with “respiratory symptoms”.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chiefs are yet to find out how they contracted the virus. Officials are now rushing to trace all contacts of the Briton, who suffered from a “mild” illness.
They also asked anyone with “respiratory symptoms” to stay home and avoid all contact with others until the illness subsides.
The H1N2 strain can be transmitted from sick pigs to humans, but rarely spreads between humans.
This is different from the H1N1 swine flu, which caused the 2009 outbreak that killed 457 people in the UK alone and 284,400 people worldwide.
The H1N2 strain can be transmitted from sick pigs to humans, but rarely spreads between humans. This is different from H1N1 swine flu, which caused the 2009 outbreak that killed 457 people in the UK alone
Swine flu in pigs increases in autumn, increasing the risk of the disease spreading to humans.
People who become infected often experience symptoms similar to those of the seasonal flu, including fever, cough, runny nose and body aches.
However, cases are usually mild and go away on their own within a few weeks. The risk of death is low.
However, scientists say children under five, people over 65, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk of complications if they become infected.
READ MORE: Swine flu warning could return this winter: Experts urge millions of Britons to get vaccinated before season starts
The unidentified person has now “made a full recovery,” officials said. But the source of the contamination “is still under investigation.”
Health authorities are now closely monitoring the situation and are expanding their swine flu surveillance program to include GP surgeries and hospitals across North Yorkshire.
Everyone Experiences’People with respiratory problems should avoid contact with others while symptoms persist, especially the elderly or those with existing medical conditions, they stressed.
The case was discovered as part of routine national influenza surveillance by the UKHSA and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
Officials have also encouraged people contacted by the UKHSA to take a test.
Meera Chand, accident director at UKHSA, said: “Thanks to routine flu surveillance and genome sequencing, we were able to detect this virus.”
“This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, although it is very similar to viruses detected in pigs.”
She added: “We are working quickly to trace close contacts and minimize any potential spread.”
“In accordance with established protocols, investigations are ongoing to determine how the person acquired the infection and to determine if there are any other related cases.”
Chief Veterinarian Christine Middlemiss also urged pig farmers to report any suspected swine flu to veterinarians immediately.
She said: “We know that some animal diseases can be transmitted to humans – that’s why high standards of animal health, welfare and biosecurity are so important.”
“We are working together through our animal and human monitoring systems to keep everyone safe.”
“In this case, we are providing veterinary and scientific expertise to support UKHSA research. “Pig farmers should immediately report any suspicion of swine flu in their herd to their local vet.”
In August, a Michigan fairgoer also tested positive for the same type of swine flu after coming into contact with a sick pig.
World Health Organization officials said the unidentified person was under 18 and had no underlying health conditions.
They were not hospitalized and only suffered from “mild” illness. There is also “no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission,” it said.
In 2009, a severe outbreak of swine flu occurred after a mutated version of the virus, H1N1, spread to humans.
The strain, which has killed tens of thousands of people around the world, has barely spread in Britain since 2019.
An independent review of the UK’s response to the 2009 pandemic confirmed that 457 deaths were caused by swine flu in the country.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
