A new variant of swine flu, called H1N2, was discovered in humans for the first time in Britain this Monday.
The first diagnosis of the virus, which normally circulates in pigs, was made in North Yorkshire when the person in question was seen by his GP with respiratory problems.
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has already said it is monitoring the situation very closely and has even increased surveillance in practices and hospitals.
At this time, according to Sky News, it is not yet known whether the patient in question works or has worked with pigs, adding that the origin of the infection is not yet known and is therefore being investigated by health authorities.
Recall that 50 cases of human infections with influenza A have been recorded since 2005, but this is the first case with the new variant.
“This is the first time we have detected this virus in people in Britain, but they are very similar to the viruses detected in pigs,” said Meera Chand, director of the UKHSA, as quoted by Sky News.
The chief veterinarian, Christine Middlemiss, admitted that “some animal diseases are known to be transmissible to humans” and therefore believes that “high standards of animal health, animal welfare and biosecurity are important”. “Through our animal and human surveillance systems, we work together to protect everyone. In this case we are providing specialist veterinary and scientific knowledge to support UKHSA research,” he explained.
In this sense, pig farmers have already been asked to report immediately to their local veterinarian as soon as they suspect swine flu in their animals. The United Kingdom.
Health authorities also guarantee that it is still too early whether this variant could have pandemic potential.
Source: DN
