LONDON: UK public health officials on Monday said they had confirmed a first human case of a swine flu strain similar to one that has been circulating in pigs. The variant of the H1N2 virus was confirmed in an individual who had been tested by their doctor after experiencing respiratory symptoms. It has not previously been detected in humans in the country, the UK Health Security Agency said.
“This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, though it is very similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs,” said the agency’s incident director Meera Chand. “We are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce any potential spread.” The individual concerned experienced a mild illness and had fully recovered, the agency said. The source of their infection, however, was undetermined and is being investigated.