Swine Flu Case Confirmed in West Virginia

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources confirmed reports people had developed influenza-like illness after working closely with swine (pigs) at the Jackson County Fair.

In addition, laboratory Services returned presumptive positive influenza A(H3N2) variant (A(H3N2)v) virus on at least one child specimen, reported to the U.S. CDC on August 5, 2022.

This is the first influenza A(H3N2)v virus identified in the USA in 2022.

The patient is a child < 18 years, was not hospitalized, and is recovering from their illness.

No person-to-person spread of this virus has been identified in this case.

“If experiencing symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough or congestion, it is extremely important to let your healthcare provider know if you or your loved one has visited a recent outdoor event with swine and to be appropriately evaluated,” said Dr. Ayne Amjad, in a media statement on August 3, 2022. 

“These symptoms usually show up 1-3 days after exposure.”

When an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine (but not people) is detected in a person, it is called a Zoonontic “variant influenza virus.”

These infections are relatively rare but happen sporadically.

Additional information on influenza in swine, variant influenza virus infection in humans, and guidance to interact safely with swine can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/index.htm.

Furthermore, U.S. FDA-approved flu shots are not protective against swine influenza A(H3N2).

And information regarding Zoonotic influenza and the ongoing avian influenza (HAPI) outbreak in the USA are updated regularly.

Note: this news was manually curated for mobile readers.