Minnesota Reports First H3N2v Case

 

 

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Today Minnesota announced that they have joined the short list of states reporting H3N2v flu infections that have predominately been associated with exposure to pigs at county fairs. 

 

This brings to 10 the number or states reporting cases since July 12th, 2012.

 

Thus far, nearly all of the cases reported have had had direct contract with pigs or their environment, and the CDC has not found sustained and efficient transmission among humans.

 

The concern, of course, is that over time this virus might evolve to a more human-adapted virus. So public health officials track these outbreaks with considerable interest.

 

 

Today’s announcement from the Minnesota Health Department follows:

 

News Release
August 20, 2012
Minnesota Department of Health - Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Minnesota Board of Animal Health

First cases of new influenza strain reported in Minnesota

Minnesota has recorded its first confirmed case and a second probable case of a new influenza strain that people acquire through contact with pigs.

 

The two cases were reported in a pre-school-age child and an older sibling from a family living in the Twin Cities metro area. Both children developed symptoms of the illness two days after the family visited a live animal market in Dakota County on Aug. 10. Neither child required hospitalization, and both are recovering.

 

Both children were tested for the virus that causes the new flu strain, but only the younger child tested positive. However, the older child is considered a “probable” case, based on the child’s history of flu-like illness and the family connection to the younger child.

 

Officials at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) believe both children were most likely exposed to the new flu strain from pigs while they were at the animal market.

 

People usually get the new strain of flu – known as variant H3N2 (H3N2v) - from pigs rather than other people. A few cases have been reported where an individual got the illness from another person, but there was no further spread of the illness to additional people.

 

In addition to the Minnesota case, over 200 cases of the illness have been reported in eight states since the beginning of the year. Most have occurred in children who were exhibiting pigs at state or county fairs, or people who visited swine exhibits at fairs.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

 

In a related story, the CDC updated their webpage on preventing the transmission of the H3N2v virus late this afternoon as well.

 

 

Take Action to Prevent the Spread of Flu Between People and Pigs at Fairs

Pigs have their own influenza viruses (called swine influenza) that are usually different from human flu viruses. While rare, influenza can spread from pigs to people and from people to pigs. When people get swine flu viruses, it’s usually after contact with pigs. This has happened in different settings, including fairs. Right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is concerned about a new flu virus that has been found in U.S. pigs and that has infected people too. This virus – called H3N2v – may spread more easily to humans from pigs than is usual for swine flu viruses.

There are ways to reduce the spread of influenza viruses between pigs and people.

CDC Recommendations For People At High Risk:

• If you are at high risk of serious flu complications and are going to a fair where pigs will be present, avoid pigs and swine barns at the fair this year. This includes children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions).

CDC Recommendations for People Not at High Risk:

• Don’t take food or drink or eat, drink or put anything in your mouth in pig areas.
• Don’t take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers, or similar items into pig areas.
• Wash your hands often with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid close contact with pigs that look or act ill.
• Take protective measures if you must come in contact with pigs that are known or suspected to be sick. This includes wearing protective clothing, gloves, masks that cover your mouth and nose, and other personal protective equipment.
• Watch your pig (if you have one) for signs of illness and call a veterinarian if you suspect it might be sick.
• Avoid contact with pigs if you have flu-like symptoms. Wait 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 protective actions listed above.

A seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H3N2v, but influenza antiviral drugs that can treat H3N2v as well as seasonal flu illness in people. These are prescription drugs. Early treatment is better, so see your health care provider as soon as you get sick if you have been exposed to pigs and get flu-like symptoms. Tell your doctor about your exposure and whether you have a high risk factor.