A BRIT has become the first in the UK to be diagnosed with a new strain of swine flu, health officials have announced.
The person tested positive for the bug after visiting their GP in North Yorkshire when “experiencing respiratory symptoms”.
Health chiefs are rapidly working to find the source of the infection, while close contacts of the infected individual are being contacted.
The patient who experienced mild symptoms and has now recovered, the UKHSA said in a statement.
It is too early to say if the strain, named H1N2, could have pandemic potential.
The new variant differs from the H1N1 strain that sparked the 2009 outbreak, which saw 457 deaths in the UK alone.
There have only been around 50 reported cases worldwide of the H1N2 strain in humans.
The strain, H1N2, can be passed from pigs to humans via direct contact, but only in rare cases spreads between humans.
Meera Chand, incident director at UKHSA, said: “This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, though it is very similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs.
“We are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce potential spread.
“In accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases.”
Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, said: “Pig keepers must also report any suspicion of swine flu in their herds to their local vet immediately.”
The H1N1 strain was first detected in April of that year in North Amercia but quickly spread across the US and worldwide.
By the time the WHO declared it a pandemic in June 2007, it had spread to 74 countries and territories.
The WHO declared the pandemic was over in August 2010.
The symptoms of swine flu (H1N1) are similar to those of regular flu.
Symptoms can begin up to five days after exposure to the virus.
These may include:
