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Q&A: First Case Of Swine Flu In Humans Detected In UK

A British man has contracted swine flu, the first detected human case recorded in the UK. Here's what you need to know about the disease.

Why is swine flu currently in the news?

A new variant of the influenza virus has been identified in a man from North Yorkshire, following a routine flu screening test.

Flu or influenza is classified using two molecules on the surface of the virus: haemagglutinin (H, there are 18 subtypes) and neuraminidase (N, with 11 subtypes). The new virus is classed as H1N2—a group previously rare in people and more often found in pigs.

It is not clear if the 2023 H1N2 virus has gained new characteristics that should concern us. Its genetic pattern shows some distinct features, but as the COVID pandemic showed us, viral genes change steadily over time.

Is it the same virus that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic?

No. The 2023 virus differs considerably from the H1N1 that caused a pandemic in 2009. To protect us against H1N1, this variant has been included in many annual vaccine combinations offered in the UK since 2012.

Influenza viruses continually change their genes and surface molecules through processes known as "shift" and "drift". They often cause outbreaks in autumn, but have the potential to cause global epidemics or pandemics when a novel virus evades human immune defences.

Historically, some influenza outbreaks have been "zoonotic", spilling over from animals to humans when a shift or drift drives a change of host. Influenza can infect most birds, pigs, horses, whales, cats, dogs and seals, usually with specific HN types.

How dangerous is it?

The risks posed by the new H1N2 are unclear.

On the plus side, the infected man from North Yorkshire—the so-called "index case"—was not very unwell and did not need admission to a hospital. This suggests the virus is not a powerful pathogen.

It is reassuring, too, that in Yorkshire there have been no reports of unexplained illness in large numbers of children, elderly, pregnant people or those with compromised immune systems—or, indeed, farm animals, including pigs. So the index case does not appear to be part of a wider human or animal outbreak.

So how did he become infected if he had no contact with pigs? One possibility is that he is one of many infected with this virus. This is a troubling interpretation because it would suggest there has been an efficient spread of a new influenza virus among humans.

It is difficult to stop person-to-person viral spread, as the COVID pandemic showed us. This week and next, a range of careful and strategic screening checks will take place in various communities in Yorkshire to establish if others with mild respiratory illnesses, or perhaps no illness, are carrying this virus.

Such investigation will probably also involve pig herds, because pig wellbeing is an important component of this probable viral spillover from animals.

The alert raised by this positive finding shows the value of processing samples from GP surgeries. Such alerts, however, require considerable follow-up to address the potential dangers.

Is it different from regular flu?

Based on the information from the one case, this virus is just like several other influenza viruses that cause upper respiratory tract infections (coughs and colds) in people.

What are the symptoms?

Typical flu symptoms include a raised temperature, a cough, sore throat and nasal stuffiness, along with muscle pains, headache and fatigue. There may be some vomiting and diarrhoea, too, particularly in children.

A few patients may get a lung infection or even heart problems—but this is very rare. Other rare problems include brain swelling, sepsis and secondary bacterial infections.

How is it treated?

Recommended treatments for influenza-like symptoms include rest, drinking lots of fluids and drugs to control fever and pain. You should seek medical advice if any symptom becomes severe because influenza of any type can be fatal—although this is very rare.

Can I get it from eating pork?

There are no known cases of contracting influenza from eating pork.

Will wearing a mask and washing my hands protect me?

Both masks and handwashing reduce all the risks of contracting respiratory diseases for all of us wherever we live. These simple interventions are often overlooked, or not performed as well as they should be.

Who is most at risk?

As yet, we do not know who is most likely to contract the new H1N2 influenza. This information should become more clearly defined by the studies being carried out at present.

Is there a vaccine against it?

There is no vaccine against the new H1N2. Thankfully, however, global preparedness has never been so well attuned to the challenge of vaccine development.

A vaccine for a newly discovered virus variant can be made within months using existing technologies. Safety testing and regulatory processes will extend this, but the capabilities and collaborations are in place should they be required.

How serious a threat to public health is it?

No available evidence suggests this new virus is a risk to public health. However, some important elements of information about H1N2 are required, along with plans to contain any spread from the index case in Yorkshire.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Citation: Q&A: First case of swine flu in humans detected in UK (2023, November 30) retrieved 4 December 2023 from https://medicalxpress.Com/news/2023-11-qa-case-swine-flu-humans.Html

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African Swine Fever Vaccines Yet To Be Fully Understood

In mid-November, the prime minister sent an express dispatch to ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the government, people's committees of provinces, and centrally-run cities on the implementation of solutions to prevent and control African swine fever (ASF).

The dispatch came amid continuing outbreaks of the dangerous infectious disease. According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), since early this year, over 530 ASF outbreaks have appeared nationwide, forcing the cull of over 20,000 pigs in 44 cities and provinces, especially in Lang Son, Cao Bang, Son La, Quang Binh, and Dak Lak.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, on behalf of the government, asked for an urgent review and organise vaccination to prevent dangerous infectious diseases in pigs such as foot-and-mouth disease, and blue ear, especially the ASF vaccine for pig herds in localities that have had or are currently having epidemics, or are at risk.

High-risk animals include pigs that have been vaccinated, but the dose has expired or is about to. The plan is to ensure the rate reaches over 80 per cent of the total herd at the time of vaccination.

"We must continue coordinating with international organisations and countries in supporting Vietnam in disease prevention and control, research, and production of ASF vaccines for sows, males, and breeds," DPM Quang said.

Vietnam was the first country in the world to embark on the approval of various ASF vaccines. Currently, the country has given marketing authorisation for vaccines from the companies AVAC and Navetco.

Dabaco, the third vaccine producer, also announced plans to have a vaccine developed.

In October, AVAC entered into an export cooperation agreement with five partners from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Myanmar.

In the domestic market, although the MARD asserted that the vaccines were eligible for circulation and use nationwide, a number of livestock companies are still concerned about the efficacy of the products.

A representative of a foreign-invested livestock company told VIR, "We have yet to be absolutely convinced by the ASF vaccine. The products' safety is ensured, but we are not sure about the efficacy. To date, we have just been allowed to organise vaccinations at a few farms for pilot testing. We are still prioritising biosecurity measures."

"The vaccine is recommended for sows only, meanwhile the risk of infection of this virus is high. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of ASF vaccines."

According to the representative, the information about efficacy of the vaccine is also unclear. Some local media reports stated that more than 650,000 doses of the vaccines were tested on hog herds in 40 provinces, with an efficacy rate of 95 per cent.

According to the June 2023 Swine Health Information Center Global Disease Monitoring Report, the AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine has shown promise in clinical trials conducted since March 2022 and has been used in some pig farms after receiving conditional distribution approval in July 2022.

The report states that preliminary results on over 600,000 pigs from 545 pig farms, in partnership with livestock company C.P. Vietnam, demonstrated over 93 per cent of the technical requirements as a result of sample tests on almost 6,000 randomly selected pigs.

"The 650,000 pigs combined with over 600,000 pigs at C.P. Vietnam Group means the testing result is not convincing enough. In addition, the evaluation of vaccines' efficacy involves many factors, for example, safety, genetic stability of continuous clinical replication, characteristics of horizontal transmission, and vertical transmission, all affecting pig farming productivity," the representative said.

A new draft standard for the production of safe and effective vaccines against ASF was proposed in the September report from the Biological Standards Commission under the World Organisation for Animal Health.

The organisation urges vaccine manufacturers and members to consider these draft standards when developing and evaluating ASF vaccine candidates for regulatory approval, and to provide their comments.

Made-in-Vietnam African swine fever vaccines exported to five countries

Vietnam has successfully produced and officially exported African swine fever vaccine of AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company to five countries, including Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Myanmar.

What Are The Symptoms Of Swine Flu And How Can I Protect Myself?

Swine flu in humans is not caused by pigs (Getty Images)

The first flu strain H1N2 – commonly known as swine flu – has been detected in a human based in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced.

According to the UKHSA, influenza A(H1N2)v is similar to flu viruses currently circulating in pigs in the UK. It is not yet known how transmissible it is. But since 2005, there have been 50 human cases reported globally.

It was through a routine national flu surveillance conducted by the Royal College of General Practitioners and UKHSA, that a person who attended a GP appointment in Yorkshire, due to respiratory symptoms, was identified. The source of the infection remains unknown and under investigation.

But what is swine flu? Should you be worried, and what symptoms should you be looking out for?

What is swine flu?

Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes, lecturer in microbiology at Teesside University, said: "Swine flu is a respiratory illness in pigs and birds that is mainly caused by type A influenza viral strains H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2.

"Some of these strains can occasionally infect humans. In the 2009 swine flu pandemic, researchers observed that strains in humans were similar to those seen in pigs – which is how swine flu derives its common name. It would be more appropriate to call it the 'influenza A(H1N1) virus'.

"It is important to note that recent cases of swine flu in the North Yorkshire GP surgery differ from human cases of the flu in the past, and it is similar to viruses observed in UK pigs."

What are the myths and misconceptions around the disease?

Lopes first explains that swine flu in humans is not caused by pigs. "People may also think it is a deadly disease, but it is treatable and has a death rate of only 1%," he said.

"We must also remember that flu can target anyone – not just people who are sick or have a weakened immune system. Equally, those who maintain a healthy lifestyle can also catch this flu."

Many also have the misconception that being exposed to cold weather can give them the flu, Lopes added. Swine flu outbreaks occur mainly during late autumn or winter, but they can occur anytime during the year, no matter the weather.

"Swine flu is not a foodborne disease, as it spreads from droplets in the air and contact with surfaces."

What are the symptoms and how can it be treated?

"We need to be mindful of symptoms such as fever, dry cough, headache, dizziness, sneezing, sore throat, chills, exhaustion, and runny nose. In rare cases, reports of vomiting, diarrhoea, and neurological issues have also been observed," Lopes said.

"You don't always need antivirals to treat the flu. Simply taking bed rest and drinking lots of water may be enough to relieve the symptoms. If medications are prescribed, they must be taken within 24-48 hrs from the onset of symptoms and must be reserved for people with serious conditions."

How can we protect ourselves?

To protect each other, Lopes advises people be aware that risk of transmission goes up if you spend a lot of time with others in a closed environment with close proximity.

"You should also avoid going to work or school if you have flu-like symptoms," he said.

"Whenever you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue and place any used tissues in a garbage disposal. If you don't have any tissues on hand, cover your mouth and nose with your hand or a bent arm.

"Regularly wash your face and hands, and practise good hygiene. You should also make sure everything you touch is clean, sanitise any surfaces, and observe any medical advice given by your doctor."

Is there a vaccine?

The seasonal flu vaccines don't protect against swine flu, but there is a specific one for certain groups, like children and pregnant women.

Lopes said there are common myths include that the flu jab uses a large needle, that it's not safe, and it has a lot of side effects. However, this is not the case.

"The needle used is only a few millimetres long, so there is no need to worry. You might experience mild side effects, and vaccines are there to help prevent the illness," he said. "Vaccines are designed for all groups, including pregnant women, so there is nothing to worry about. For those worried about religious beliefs, the jab doesn't contain any pork products.

"The influenza vaccine does not contain the live virus so you can't catch the flu from it. Vaccination is effective but may not have 100% efficacy. It can depend on various factors like the age and health of a person."

Should people be worried about it?

Lopes said: "There is no need to worry at this stage, but if you are worried then it is best to follow the UKHSA guidelines and avoid any contact with people experiencing the symptoms in order to limit the spread of disease."

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