Michigan reports first case of human H3N2v swine flu, brings national total to 17
The Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and their local and state health partners have identified a case of an H3N2 variant (H3N2v) in a child who was a swine exhibitor at the recent Berrien County Youth Fair, which took place August 12-17, 2013.
According to MDCH officials, the child, who was not hospitalized, is reported to have contracted H3N2v after exposure to swine at the fair. In addition, a sick pig from the fair tested positive for Influenza A H3N2 at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. MDCH, the MIchigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and the Berrien County Health Department (BCHD) are working with the Berrien County Youth Fair (BCYF) board to reach out to swine exhibitors who attended the fair to identify additional illnesses.
As a precaution, Michigan public health agencies have conducted an extensive multi-state outreach to meat processing plants that were identified as being in receipt of live swine from the fair. These facilities have been made aware of the potential exposure to their employees, symptoms of illness, and given instruction on seeking care and testing.
“Influenza is common to swine and is not a food safety concern,” said Dr. James Averill, MDARD Animal Industry Division Director and State Veterinarian. “Berrien County Youth Fair had hand washing stations, posters, and good biosecurity practices in place, and it’s important that all fairs continue these practices.”
H3N2v is a non-human influenza virus that normally circulates in pigs and that has infected humans. Viruses that normally circulate in pigs are “swine influenza viruses.” When these viruses infect humans, they are termed “variant” viruses.
Symptoms of H3N2v infection in people are similar to those of seasonal flu viruses and can include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Infections with influenza viruses (including variant viruses like H3N2v) can sometimes cause severe disease, even in healthy people. This can include complications, such as pneumonia, which may require hospitalization, and sometimes results in death.
People who are at high risk of developing complications if they get influenza include children younger than 5 years of age, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions.
The Michigan case brings the total U.S. human infections with H3N2v to 17. Other states reporting cases include Indiana (14), Ohio (1) and Illinois (1).
The 2013 total to date is much lower than 309 cases reported during the entire 2012.
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[…] Michigan reports first case of human H3N2v swine flu, brings national total to 17 The Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and their local and state health partners have identified a case of an H3N2 variant (H3N2v) in a child who was a swine exhibitor at the recent Berrien County Youth Fair, which took place August 12-17, … Read more on The Global Dispatch […]