First human case of swine flu strain in UK

THE first human case of swine flu strain H1N2 similar to the one circulating in pigs - has been detected in Britain, say experts.

- Jane Kirby

Routine surveillance in GP surgeries picked up the signs after the person suffered a mild illness, the UK Health Security Agency revealed.

Officials are carrying out contact tracing to prevent the spread of the virus. It is not known at this stage how transmissible the strain is or if there could be other cases.

It is also too early to say if the strain could have pandemic potential. The UKHSA has notified the World Health Organisation of the latest case.

There have been about 50 reported human cases worldwide of the H1N2 virus since 2005, none of them related genetically to this strain.

The person involved is not known to have worked with pigs and has fully recovered.

Guidance