First Human Case Of New Swine Flu Strain Detected In The UK

The first confirmed case of a new strain of swine flu in the UK has been confirmed.

The A(H1N2)v infection was detected in a routine flu screening test at a GP surgery in North Yorkshire.

The unidentified person had a respiratory symptoms, a mild illness but has fully recovered and was not known to have worked with pigs.

They are not known to have worked with pigs and investigations will look for the source of the infection and its risk to human health.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it plans to increase surveillance through GP surgeries and hospitals in parts of North Yorkshire as a result of the

Meera Chand, an incident director at UKHSA, said: “It is thanks to routine flu surveillance and genome sequencing that we have been able to detect this virus. This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, though it is very similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs.”

“We are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce any potential spread. In accordance with established protocols, investigations are under way to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases.”

Pig-keepers have been urged to report any suspicion of swine flu in their herds to their local vet immediately.