The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert over a novel influenza infection in Michigan Friday.
A confirmed case of a novel influenza A(H1N2) variant was found in Michigan August 4, according to the WHO outbreak alert. It’s reportedly believed the individual contracted the disease from pigs at a local agricultural fair. Investigators are working to determine if other people may have been exposed.
The patient suffered from a mild case of A(H1N2) and did not need to be hospitalized for his/her symptoms. But outbreaks like this are closely monitored, given that A(H1N2) can be deadly if an individual has significant comorbidities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Multiple UN Agencies Issue Warning Over Global Outbreaks Of Deadly Virus | @DailyCaller https://t.co/4iZaAcZJIp
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A(H1N2), also known as “swine flu,” spreads through direct and indirect exposure to pigs. The virus group is known to evolve rapidly, per the WHO. Genetic differences have reportedly been observed during seasonal circulation of the flu globally, so close monitoring also helps adapt our understanding of how drastic an outbreak can be. (RELATED: Experts Warn Of Rapidly Changing Bird Flu Virus During Enormous Outbreak)
Unlike seasonal flu, serious symptoms and death can occur, along with the need for hospitalization, the CDC noted. (RELATED: WHO H2N8 Avian Influenza Virus Kills First Human)
Symptoms of A(H1N2) are similar to the seasonal flu, and include a lack of appetite, tiredness, coughing, fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat and a runny nose, but need to be treated far sooner than other variants.