| No images? Click here  Friday 1 December 2023 Disease Outbreak NewsInfluenza A(H1N2) variant virus infection - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland1 December 2023 See all DONs related to this event Read more about influenza (avian and other zoonotic) Situation at a Glance On 25 November 2023, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of a human case of swine-origin influenza A(H1N2) virus infection. This is the first swine influenza A(H1N2)v case reported in the United Kingdom. Human infections with swine-origin influenza viruses have been sporadically detected in the past in countries in the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe. When a human is infected with a swine-origin influenza virus, the virus is referred to as a variant (or “v”) virus. Most human cases result from exposure to swine influenza viruses through direct contact with infected swine or contaminated environments. Current evidence suggests that these swine-origin influenza viruses have limited ability for sustained transmission among humans. This case was identified as part of routine surveillance of respiratory illnesses. The source of infection for this case is under investigation and contact tracing is in process. To date, no other confirmed cases associated with this event have been reported. WHO is in communication with national authorities to monitor the situation closely. Ongoing investigations are in place to identify the source of the infection and to characterize the risks of this influenza variant virus. WHO assesses the risk of spread of swine-origin influenza viruses through humans and/or community-level spread among humans as low. However, because these viruses continue to be detected in swine populations worldwide, further human cases following direct or indirect contact with infected swine can be expected. Current evidence suggests that these viruses have not acquired the ability to sustain transmission among humans. Due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza viruses, WHO continues to stress the importance of global surveillance to detect virological, epidemiological and clinical changes associated with circulating influenza viruses that may affect human (or animal) health and timely virus sharing for risk assessment. Description of the SituationOn 25 November 2023, under the IHR (2005), the United Kingdom notified the WHO of a human case of influenza A(H1N2)v virus infection. The case reported onset of mild symptoms on 5 November. He visited his general practitioner on 9 November; during this visit, a respiratory sample was collected and further analyzed as part of the national routine influenza surveillance programme. On 13 November, the sample was sent to United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) laboratories and tested positive on 23 November for influenza A(H1N2)v virus, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The sample was further characterized by whole genome sequencing and results were available on the same date. On 25 November, a follow-up RT-PCR test was performed and tested negative for influenza. The case is now fully recovered. Further laboratory analyses conducted at the Worldwide Influenza Centre at the Francis Crick Institute (a WHO Collaborating Centre) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) avian and swine influenza reference laboratory at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, indicated that this influenza A(H1N2)v virus belongs to the swine influenza virus genetic clade 1B.1.1. Similar A(H1N2) viruses from this genetic clade have been previously detected in pigs in the United Kingdom. However, this is the first time a virus from this swine genetic clade has been detected in a human in the United Kingdom. According to ongoing investigations, pig farms are located within a few miles of where the case resides; however, the case reported no direct exposure to pigs, pets, or farms. The source of infection is currently under investigation and contact tracing is continuing. EpidemiologyInfluenza A viruses are enzootic in swine populations in most regions of the world. When an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine is detected in a person, it is called a “variant influenza virus”. A(H1N1), A(H1N2) and A(H3N2) are major subtypes of influenza viruses circulating in pigs and occasionally infect humans. Sporadic human infections with swine influenza viruses have been reported since the late 1950s, usually after direct or indirect exposure to pigs or contaminated environments. Since 2018, sporadic influenza A(H1N2)v cases among humans have been detected in other countries in Europe (Austria, Denmark, France and the Netherlands), the Americas (Brazil, Canada and the United States of America), Asia (China) and in Australia. Infections in humans have primarily been acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Risk factors include proximity to infected pigs or visiting locations where pigs are exhibited. However, in some cases, no known exposure to swine was reported. Swine-origin influenza virus infections in humans tend to result in mild clinical illness, although some cases have been hospitalized with more severe disease and some have been fatal. Evidence of human-to-human spread of swine-origin influenza viruses is limited, and human-to-human onward transmissions are very rare or limited to one or two generations of infection. Laboratory testing with RT-PCR or other rapid molecular influenza assays (with similar high sensitivity and high specificity) are recommended when available. However, prompt treatment based on antivirals and supportive care should be the priority. WHO has produced guidelines for laboratory diagnosis of influenza and clinical management, and through the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), WHO closely monitors avian, swine and other zoonotic influenza viruses. Public Health Response WHO is closely collaborating with national authorities to monitor the situation. UKHSA has established an enhanced national incident team that is working with partners to investigate this incident and deliver a rapid response. Ongoing response activities by the UKHSA, the United Kingdom National Health Service and international partners include:
WHO Risk AssessmentInfluenza viruses circulate in swine populations in many regions of the world. Depending on geographic location, the genetic characteristics of these viruses differ. Most human cases result from exposure to swine influenza viruses through contact with infected swine or contaminated environments, although some cases have been reported without an apparent source of exposure to swine in the weeks prior to illness onset. Because these viruses continue to be detected in swine populations worldwide, further human cases following direct or indirect contact with infected swine can be expected. Current evidence suggests that these viruses have not acquired the ability to sustain transmission among humans. There has been limited, non-sustained human-to-human transmission of variant influenza viruses, although ongoing community transmission has not been identified. This is the first swine influenza A(H1N2)v case reported in the United Kingdom. There is no clear indication of direct contact with pigs or any ill individuals. Though the source of infection is unknown at this time, the virus is closely aligned to that circulating in the swine population in the United Kingdom. Several previous variant cases have also not had clear exposure histories to swine and there was no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission in these cases. Limited human-to-human transmission may have played a role, but there is no definitive evidence. Further virus characterization is ongoing. National routine surveillance indicators do not show any unusual increases in respiratory illness in the local population. The risk of there being additional human cases associated with this event appears to be low – though the possibility of limited person-to-person transmission cannot be excluded at this stage. The risk assessment will be reviewed should further epidemiological or virological information become available. WHO AdvicePeople with any respiratory symptoms should continue to follow the existing guidance, seek healthcare and avoid contact with other people while symptoms persist, particularly if the people they are coming into contact with are elderly or have existing medical conditions. Surveillance:
Notification and investigation:
Prevention measures:
WHO does not recommend any travel and/or trade restrictions for the United Kingdom based on the currently available information. Further Information
Citable reference: World Health Organization (1 December 2023). Disease Outbreak News; Influenza A(H1N2) variant virus infection - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON496  Media contacts:  You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list.  |
Friday, December 1, 2023
Disease Outbreak News: Influenza A(H1N2) variant virus infection - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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