Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom, full page: (LINK). Edited.]
Update on new swine flu in the US
21 August 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware there have been nearly 250 human cases of swine-origin influenza A(H3N2)v virus in the recent USA outbreak since it was first identified in August 2011.
The virus has mainly affected children and young adults and is mild in nature. Most cases have documented contact with pigs, although in one small cluster of six cases reported in December 2011, there may have been limited human to human transmission. This virus has not been identified in pigs or humans in the UK.
The HPA has recommended that returning travellers with an influenza-like illness who have had contact with pigs in the USA within five days of the onset of their illness, should be investigated further.
The HPA is contacting GPs to ensure they are aware of this recommendation in light of this outbreak and we are updating the website with information on this new strain.
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised this summer that in the US, those at increased risk of the complications of influenza, including older people, small children and those with chronic diseases, should consider avoiding pigs and swine barns.
The strain of H3N2 in the current seasonal flu vaccine is different to the A(H3N2)v although, since the virus is related to the human H3N2 influenza virus that was circulating in the 1990s, studies suggest that adults may have some immunity to this virus whereas children will not.
Professor Nick Phin, from the HPA?s influenza department said:
?There are no UK cases of this strain of H3N2 in humans or pigs and it has not spread to other countries in Europe, so the threat to the UK public is very low. We are keeping a very close watch on the situation in the US and are in contact with our American colleagues to regularly assess the risk.
?We are reassured that there is little evidence to support human to human spread and that virtually all of the cases can be associated with direct contact with pigs.
?We are now approaching this year?s flu season and so I want to take this opportunity to remind anybody who is in an ?at risk? group to ensure they get their flu vaccination as soon as the vaccination programme begins to ensure the best protection over the coming winter.?
Note to Editors:
21 August 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware there have been nearly 250 human cases of swine-origin influenza A(H3N2)v virus in the recent USA outbreak since it was first identified in August 2011.
The virus has mainly affected children and young adults and is mild in nature. Most cases have documented contact with pigs, although in one small cluster of six cases reported in December 2011, there may have been limited human to human transmission. This virus has not been identified in pigs or humans in the UK.
The HPA has recommended that returning travellers with an influenza-like illness who have had contact with pigs in the USA within five days of the onset of their illness, should be investigated further.
The HPA is contacting GPs to ensure they are aware of this recommendation in light of this outbreak and we are updating the website with information on this new strain.
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised this summer that in the US, those at increased risk of the complications of influenza, including older people, small children and those with chronic diseases, should consider avoiding pigs and swine barns.
The strain of H3N2 in the current seasonal flu vaccine is different to the A(H3N2)v although, since the virus is related to the human H3N2 influenza virus that was circulating in the 1990s, studies suggest that adults may have some immunity to this virus whereas children will not.
Professor Nick Phin, from the HPA?s influenza department said:
?There are no UK cases of this strain of H3N2 in humans or pigs and it has not spread to other countries in Europe, so the threat to the UK public is very low. We are keeping a very close watch on the situation in the US and are in contact with our American colleagues to regularly assess the risk.
?We are reassured that there is little evidence to support human to human spread and that virtually all of the cases can be associated with direct contact with pigs.
?We are now approaching this year?s flu season and so I want to take this opportunity to remind anybody who is in an ?at risk? group to ensure they get their flu vaccination as soon as the vaccination programme begins to ensure the best protection over the coming winter.?
Note to Editors:
- For latest HPA advice to health care workers concerned about the US outbreak, please visit the HPA Influenza in animals page.
- For further information on the new strain of swine flu please visit: http://www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm [external link] or http://www.cdc.gov/ [external link]
- The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards. In April 2013 the Health Protection Agency will become part of a new organisation called Public Health England, an executive agency of the Department of Health. To find out more, visit our website: www.hpa.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @HPAuk or ?Like? us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthProtectionAgency [external link]
- For more information please contact the national HPA press office at Colindale on 0208 327 7901 or email colindale-pressoffice@hpa.org.uk. Out of hours the duty press officer can be contacted on 0208 200 4400.
Last reviewed: 21 August 2012
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