The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its investigation findings on the recent case of influenza A(H1N2)v – a type of swine influenza – confirming that no further cases have been detected.
The case was detected as part of routine national flu surveillance undertaken by UKHSA and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). The virus was identified by UKHSA on 23 November using genome sequencing, the first time a human case of this particular virus has been confirmed in the UK.
Rapid work has been underway to learn more about the virus and its characteristics, including how it may have been acquired and whether it may have spread. There remains only one human case of influenza A(H1N2)v in England. The case was an otherwise well person over 75 years of age, who has recovered fully. Although the virus is similar to those detected in pigs in England and the case lives in a region containing pig farms, no direct contact between the case and any animal was reported.
No further cases have been detected through investigations, including follow-up of contacts to date and enhanced surveillance through local GP practices and hospital trusts, the UKHSA said in its update. Enhanced surveillance will continue over the coming weeks as a precaution.
UKHSA Incident Director Dr Meera Chand said: “This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK. Since the virus was confirmed we have been working rapidly to learn more about it and how it might have been acquired. Investigations to date have not identified any further human cases and sporadic cases of influenza from swine viruses are known to occur.
The identification of this case highlights the importance of our flu surveillance and genomic sequencing in helping us to identify and learn more about new viruses.”