Swine fever cases in the US

24 April 2009

The Health Protection Agency is aware of seven human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1) in California and Texas in the United States.

All cases have fully recovered. Six of the cases reported a mild flu-like illness, one was briefly hospitalised.

Globally, there are a number of networks including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centres for Disease Control (ECDC) which monitor and carry out surveillance on flu.  These networks are working together to examine the current situation.

The Health Protection Agency is aware of seven human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1) in California and Texas in the United States.

All cases have fully recovered. Six of the cases reported a mild flu-like illness, one was briefly hospitalised.

Globally, there are a number of networks including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centres for Disease Control (ECDC) which monitor and carry out surveillance on flu.  These networks are working together to examine the current situation.

In the UK, the Health Protection Agency monitors flu viruses circulating in the UK as well as collaborating with GP surgeries and NHS Direct to identify any unusual strains which could become a threat to public health. It remains in close contact with colleagues in animal health, the UK Government, colleagues in the US and Europe regarding these human cases of swine influenza.

The reported event in the US is unusual and warrants immediate further investigation (as is being carried out by the CDC) and vigilance on the part of other countries. Enquiries in the US are ongoing and the Health Protection Agency will be monitoring events closely. 

The mild illness reported to date and the limited evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission suggest that the immediate level of threat to public health is very limited. 

Swine fever is rare in people and there have been no cases detected in the UK for over ten years.  Where cases have been seen in the rest of the world these have sometimes been linked to contact with pigs but often no link is ever discovered. In the US there is an active swine influenza surveillance programme to monitor pig viruses as they see more diversity in viruses than in any other country.

 

Ends

For further information please contact the HPA Centre for Infections press office on:
Louise Brown  020 8327 7080
David Daley   020 8327 6647
Georgina Fletcher  0208 327 6690
Kate Swan  020 8327 7097
Alex Baker  020 8327 7098

 

Last reviewed: 24 April 2009