Forbes The U.K. detected its first human case of the flu strain A(H1N2)v, which is similar to flu viruses circulating in pigs, though the case was “mild” and the patient recovered, according to an alert released by the U.K. on Monday, as experts remain alert to another possible swine flu pandemic. Influenza A(H1) viruses are found in pigs in most regions of the world, according to the World Health Organization. When these viruses are found in humans, they’re called variant influenza viruses, and the most common ones that infect humans are H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2. These viruses are often transmitted to people who come in contact with pigs via agricultural fairs, work, or through pigs they own. People can also become infected by touching contaminated surfaces, then touching their mouth or nose. There have been no known cases of people contracting the virus from eating properly handled pork. Though most cases of swine flu don’t spread person-to-person, there have been documented cases of person-to-person transmission. The 2009 H1N1 (or swine flu) pandemic began in the U.S. and quickly spread around the world. People caught the virus by breathing in contaminated droplets in the air. Globally, there were at least 150,000 deaths, and people 65 years and older made up 80% of those deaths. In the U.S., there were almost 70 million cases, around 274,000 hospitalizations and about 12,500 deaths between April 2009, and April 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
U.K. Reports First Case Of New Swine Flu Strain In Humans: Here’s What To Know
