Minnesota officials report two influenza A(H3N2) variant 'swine flu' cases
The Minnesota Department of Health reported two human infections with influenza A(H3N2) variant (A(H3N2)v) virus.
According to officials, the two patients are <18 years of age, sought healthcare during the week ending September 7, 2024 (Week 36), were not hospitalized, and have recovered from their illnesses.
An investigation by state public health officials found that both patients, who are not contacts with one another, attended the same agricultural fair prior to their illness onset, where the first child had indirect swine contact and the second child had direct swine contact.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports during the investigation into the first patient, public health officials identified a separate, and likely unrelated illness had occurred in the household. The day after attending the agricultural fair, all household members developed symptoms. One household member of the first patient was tested and was positive for SARS-CoV-2. All household members, including the case, recovered from their illness. Subsequently, the case patient developed new symptoms and tested positive for influenza A, which was further identified as A(H3N2)v. Other household members remained well. During the investigation into the second case, no illness was identified among contacts. No human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H3N2)v associated with either case was identified.
Minnesota: Pertussis and Measles update
Year to date, nine variant influenza virus cases have been reported, including the new Minnesota cases- Pennsylvania (four A(H1N2)v, Michigan and Colorado (one each A(H3N2)v, and Ohio (one A(H1N1)v).
Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs.
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Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with influenza viruses that normally circulate in swine and not people have occurred. When this happens, these viruses are called "variant viruses." They also can be denoted by adding the letter "v" to the end of the virus subtype designation. Human infections with H1N1v, H3N2v and H1N2v viruses have been detected in the United States.
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While most individuals recover from influenza, including illnesses from variant viruses, these infections can sometimes cause severe disease, even in healthy people. If someone experiences respiratory symptoms, they should share any recent exposure to livestock with their doctor so that influenza testing can be considered. The same antiviral drugs used to treat seasonal flu can be used to treat novel influenza A '“variant” viruses in children and adults. These treatments are most effective when taken early in the illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following preventive actions:
People at increased risk for severe influenza complications should avoid exposure to pigs.
Don't eat, drink or put anything in your mouth in areas with pigs.
Don't take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers, or similar items into areas with pigs.
Wash your hands with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs outside or inside a swine barn. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
To further reduce the risk of infection, avoid or minimize contact with pigs in the pig barns and show arenas.
Where possible, avoid direct contact with pigs that are known or suspected to be sick. If you must come in contact with pigs that may be ill, then wear personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes protective clothing, gloves, and a well-fitting mask that covers your mouth and nose. Parents and caregivers should review considerations for specific groups of people when selecting a respirator or mask for children.
If you have a pig, watch for signs of illness (like loss of appetite, fever, tiredness, eye redness, discomfort, cough, or runny nose)
If you suspect your pig is sick, call a veterinarian.
If sick pigs are in an exhibition area, remove them right away.
If possible, avoid close contact with sick pigs.
Avoid contact with pigs if you have flu symptoms. Wait to have contact with pigs until 7 days after your illness started or until you have been without fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, whichever is longer. If you must have contact with pigs while you are sick, take the preventive actions listed above.
Like everyone else, people who care for pigs should get a seasonal flu vaccine every flu season. Although a seasonal flu vaccine probably will not protect people against infection with variant influenza A viruses (because swine influenza A viruses are substantially different from seasonal influenza A viruses that infect people), vaccination is important to reduce the risk of spreading human seasonal influenza A viruses to other people and to pigs. Seasonal flu vaccination might also decrease the potential for people or pigs to become infected with human influenza A viruses and influenza A viruses from pigs at the same time.
Anyone who is at higher risk of serious flu complications who plans to attend an event or setting where pigs will be present, such as an agricultural fair, should avoid pigs and swine barns.
If people at higher risk cannot avoid exposure to pigs, they should wear a well-fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth (e.g., an N95 respirator or KN95 respirator if available, or if not available, a surgical mask) to reduce the risk of exposure to influenza viruses from pigs.
People at higher risk of serious flu complications who develop flu symptoms should call a health care provider. Tell them about your risk factor and any exposure to pigs or swine barns you've had recently. Human seasonal flu vaccines will not protect against influenza A viruses that commonly spread in pigs, but prescription influenza antiviral drugs can treat infections with these viruses in people when treatment is started shortly after symptoms begin.