First Human Case of A(H1N2)v Variant Detected in the UK
The discovery of a human infection with a flu variant similar to swine flu in the UK has raised concerns.
According to foreign reports, including Reuters on the 27th, the UK recently identified the first human case of the flu variant A(H1N2)v, similar to swine flu. Still, the source of infection remains unclear, prompting the UK government to initiate tracking efforts.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that routine national flu surveillance detected this case, and they do not know the source of the infection. They have officially reported this discovery to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The UK government is currently tracking individuals who had close contact with the infected person, and they are enhancing surveillance in North Yorkshire’s operating rooms and hospitals. They are closely monitoring the situation.
H1N2 Infections Worldwide
Since 2005, people worldwide have reported 50 cases of H1N2 infections. The influenza A(H1N2)v identified in the UK this time is similar to the flu virus prevalent in UK pigs and is genetically unrelated to previous cases.
The Guardian reported that the infection discovered in the UK this time is a distinct clade or form known as 1b.1.1, differing from recent H1N2 human infection cases reported elsewhere.
In 2009, swine flu, commonly known as H1N1 influenza, caused a pandemic that resulted in significant human casualties. H1N1 influenza is a type of influenza A virus, and in 2009, the World Health Organization declared H1N1 influenza a pandemic, with approximately 284,400 deaths reported worldwide in that year alone.
The swine flu pandemic ended in August 2010, but H1N1 influenza variants, including H1N2 and H3N2, continue to cause seasonal influenza.
While most people recover from the flu after a certain period, complications can be deadly for some high-risk individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and heart disease. Seasonal flu vaccines can help protect against influenza viruses and maintain overall health.
By. Park Chan Seo
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