By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) – British health officials on Monday confirmed the first case in a human in the UK of a flu strain similar to viruses seen in pigs.
Influenza A(H1N2)v is similar to flu viruses currently circulating in pigs in the UK.
The patient, who has fully recovered, was identified through routine flu surveillance after being tested by their general practitioner due to suffering respiratory symptoms.
"The individual concerned experienced a mild illness and has fully recovered. The source of their infection has not yet been ascertained and remains under investigation," said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in a statement.
"Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organizations. Any contacts will be offered testing as necessary and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive," it added.
Meera Chand, 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 underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases," she added.
The world remains wary of viruses spreading from animals to humans, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, estimated to have taken some 7 million lives worldwide since it spread out in early 2020.