By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Manitoba, Canada government reported two separate cases of variant influenza viruses in the province in April in two separate areas of southern Manitoba.

Image/EOZyo

They appear to be isolated cases. One is a case of human influenza A(H1N2)v and one is a case of human influenza A(H1N1)v. The cases are the result of two different viruses and based on the case investigations, they are not linked.

The viruses were detected in early April after the two individuals independently sought testing after developing an influenza-like illness. The individuals experienced mild symptoms, were tested and then recovered. The tests came back negative for COVID-19, but were later identified as a case of human influenza A(H1N2)v and human influenza A(H1N1)v through regular influenza surveillance processes.

The investigations are ongoing to determine how transmission may have occurred for these individuals. Both had either direct or indirect exposures to pigs. Based on available evidence, the current assessment is that there is no increased risk to people, with no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission at this time.

Sporadic human cases of variant influenza have been reported over the past decade in North America. Human influenza A(H1N2)v is rarely seen in humans, with only 29 cases reported globally since 2005, and no cases in Canada until one was reported in Alberta in October 2020.

Human influenza A(H1N1)v is rarely seen in humans. This is the second ever case reported in Canada; the first was reported in Ontario in September 2012. Two human influenza A(H1N1)v cases were detected in the U.S. during the 2020-21 season.