By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a new human infection with an influenza A(H1N2) variant (A(H1N2)v) virus was reported by Ohio. This is the second H1N2v case reported this year in the state.

Image/Scott Bauer, U.S. Department of Agriculture

The patient is <18 years of age, was not hospitalized, and has completely recovered from their illness.

The patient and the household contacts of the patient report no swine contact or attendance at agricultural exhibits where swine were present.

It is possible that limited human-to-human transmission occurred. No ongoing human-to-human transmission has been identified.

Ten human infections with a novel influenza A virus have been reported in the United States this influenza season, including two H3N2v (IA, WI), three H1N2v (IA, OH (2)), and five H1N1v (IA, NC, WI (3)) virus infections.

Six infections have occurred in children <18 years of age and four have occurred in adults ≥ 18 years of age. Of the ten infected individuals, only one had no identified connection to swine. The other nine individuals had direct contact with swine, were on a property with swine present, or had a household member who had direct contact with swine prior to illness onset.

Pigs are commonly infected with swine influenza (“variant flu”) viruses that are usually different from human influenza viruses. While rare, influenza can spread from pigs to people and from people to pigs.

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.”

In general, the severity of illnesses associated with variant influenza have been similar to seasonal influenza.

Influenza symptoms come on quickly in the form of fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, stuffed-up nose, and body aches. Young children and the elderly may not develop fever. These symptoms can be severe and put you in bed for several days.