Minnesota Reports Swine H1N2v Flu

 

 

# 6530

 

File this under - `Once you start looking, no telling what you’ll find’.

 

Enhanced surveillance for H3N2v flu cases associated with contact with pigs by Minnesota’s Department of Health has turned up 1 confirmed, and 2 probable human cases of H1N2v influenza.

 

The H1N2 virus is one of three flu strains that commonly circulate in swine (H1N1, H3N2, & H1N2).

 

H1N2 is assumed to be a reassortment between the H1N1 and H3N2 virus. It has on rare occasions been detected in humans. 

 

Credit CDC

 

Minnesota reported a human infection with A/H1N2 in December of 2011, and it was said to be similar to an H1N1 virus (A/New Caledonia /20/99-like) that circulated as recently as 2007. 

 

Michigan reported an H1N2 human infection in 2007. 

 

As has been pointed out in this blog before, we honestly don’t know how often these novel swine (or avian)origin flu viruses jump to humans. Given the limits of testing and surveillance, it is probably more common than the numbers suggest.

 

Heightened surveillance around the country for the H3N2v virus may very well tell us a good deal about other variant viruses that we know can occasionally show up in the human population.

 

 

Here is the Press release from the MDH.

 

 

News Release
August 31, 2012
 

Three human cases of influenza linked to swine exposure at State Fair

Strain is different from the one that prompted current surveillance and prevention efforts

Three people are believed to have developed a strain of influenza known as variant H1N2 (H1N2v) after exhibiting pigs or spending time in the swine barn at the Minnesota State Fair.

 

One of the three cases has been confirmed by CDC. Test results for the other two are pending.

 

The H1N2v strain is different from the H3N2v strain that has prompted stepped up surveillance and prevention efforts nationwide, after causing 289 reported cases of illness and one death since the beginning of the year.

 

Officials at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) say they are not currently aware of any additional human influenza cases caused by H1N2v, and they do not anticipate changing their current public health recommendations regarding human exposure to swine.

 

They emphasized, however, that they will continue to assess the situation and conduct aggressive surveillance for additional influenza cases.

 

Current recommendations include asking individuals at high risk for severe influenza to avoid swine contact at exhibitions, fairs, live markets and other venues, including the swine barn at the State Fair. High risk individuals include children under five years of age, pregnant women, people 65 years of age or older and those with chronic medical conditions.

 

"For the past two weeks, we have been looking very hard for cases of influenza in people who have been exposed to swine," said Richard Danila, Deputy State Epidemiologist. "We have also worked closely with our veterinary colleagues to remain informed about potential infections in swine at the Fair. It is because of this careful surveillance that these cases have come to our attention.

 

"Right now, we don’t have any basis for changing our recommendations to the public," Danila said.

 

The illness has been confirmed in a teenage girl who was exhibiting pigs at the fair and became ill on Aug. 26. The other two cases occurred in an elementary-school-aged boy who became ill on Aug. 27 after spending all day in the swine barn on Aug. 24, and a woman in her late seventies who became ill on Aug. 26 after spending a prolonged period of time in the swine barn and at the swine show in the Exhibit Hall on Aug 24.

 

Both the boy and the older woman had underlying health conditions, and were treated with antiviral drugs. The woman was hospitalized, but has now been released. All three patients have recovered or are recovering.

 

The teenager was tested for influenza after she reported illness to nursing staff at the Fair. The other cases were reported to MDH by health care providers. Health care providers have been asked to report cases of influenza-like illness in people who report that they have had contact with swine. Swine exhibitors have been asked to report it if they experience symptoms of influenza.

 

Fair officials have also been monitoring swine for possible symptoms of illness, so they can be tested. Two pigs at the swine exhibit were found to be infected with the same H1N2 virus earlier this week, and were both isolated from contact with other pigs. Infection with H1N2 is not considered unusual in pigs.

-MDH-

 

 

For more on the H1N2 virus, you may wish to revisit:

Hong Kong Swine Influenza Surveillance

CDC: Variant Influenza Strains

CDC Confirms 2 More Novel Flu Infections

If You’ve Seen One Triple Reassortant Swine Flu Virus . . .

»» Read More

Minnesota Reports First H3N2v Case

 

 

# 6503

 

Today Minnesota announced that they have joined the short list of states reporting H3N2v flu infections that have predominately been associated with exposure to pigs at county fairs. 

 

This brings to 10 the number or states reporting cases since July 12th, 2012.

 

Thus far, nearly all of the cases reported have had had direct contract with pigs or their environment, and the CDC has not found sustained and efficient transmission among humans.

 

The concern, of course, is that over time this virus might evolve to a more human-adapted virus. So public health officials track these outbreaks with considerable interest.

 

 

Today’s announcement from the Minnesota Health Department follows:

 

News Release
August 20, 2012
Minnesota Department of Health - Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Minnesota Board of Animal Health

First cases of new influenza strain reported in Minnesota

Minnesota has recorded its first confirmed case and a second probable case of a new influenza strain that people acquire through contact with pigs.

 

The two cases were reported in a pre-school-age child and an older sibling from a family living in the Twin Cities metro area. Both children developed symptoms of the illness two days after the family visited a live animal market in Dakota County on Aug. 10. Neither child required hospitalization, and both are recovering.

 

Both children were tested for the virus that causes the new flu strain, but only the younger child tested positive. However, the older child is considered a “probable” case, based on the child’s history of flu-like illness and the family connection to the younger child.

 

Officials at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) believe both children were most likely exposed to the new flu strain from pigs while they were at the animal market.

 

People usually get the new strain of flu – known as variant H3N2 (H3N2v) - from pigs rather than other people. A few cases have been reported where an individual got the illness from another person, but there was no further spread of the illness to additional people.

 

In addition to the Minnesota case, over 200 cases of the illness have been reported in eight states since the beginning of the year. Most have occurred in children who were exhibiting pigs at state or county fairs, or people who visited swine exhibits at fairs.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

 

In a related story, the CDC updated their webpage on preventing the transmission of the H3N2v virus late this afternoon as well.

 

 

Take Action to Prevent the Spread of Flu Between People and Pigs at Fairs

Pigs have their own influenza viruses (called swine influenza) that are usually different from human flu viruses. While rare, influenza can spread from pigs to people and from people to pigs. When people get swine flu viruses, it’s usually after contact with pigs. This has happened in different settings, including fairs. Right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned about a new flu virus that has been found in U.S. pigs and that has infected people too. This virus – called H3N2v – may spread more easily to humans from pigs than is usual for swine flu viruses.

There are ways to reduce the spread of influenza viruses between pigs and people.

CDC Recommendations For People At High Risk:

• If you are at high risk of serious flu complications and are going to a fair where pigs will be present, avoid pigs and swine barns at the fair this year. This includes children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions).

CDC Recommendations for People Not at High Risk:

• Don’t take food or drink or eat, drink or put anything in your mouth in pig areas.
• Don’t take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers, or similar items into pig areas.
• Wash your hands often with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid close contact with pigs that look or act ill.
• Take protective measures if you must come in contact with pigs that are known or suspected to be sick. This includes wearing protective clothing, gloves, masks that cover your mouth and nose, and other personal protective equipment.
• Watch your pig (if you have one) for signs of illness and call a veterinarian if you suspect it might be sick.
• Avoid contact with pigs if you have flu-like symptoms. Wait 7 days after your illness started or until you have been without fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, whichever is longer. If you must have contact with pigs while you are sick, take the protective actions listed above.

A seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H3N2v, but influenza antiviral drugs that can treat H3N2v as well as seasonal flu illness in people. These are prescription drugs. Early treatment is better, so see your health care provider as soon as you get sick if you have been exposed to pigs and get flu-like symptoms. Tell your doctor about your exposure and whether you have a high risk factor.

»» Read More