Dr. Deena Hinshaw (photo courtesy of Alberta Government)

By Liam Verster

Influenza A (H1N2)v

Case of rare swine flu variant confirmed in central Alberta

Nov 4, 2020 | 10:19 AM

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and Chief Provincial Veterinarian say they have confirmed a positive case of Influenza A (H1N2v) in a person in central Alberta, the first such case confirmed in Canada.

In a joint statement from Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Dr. Keith Lehman, they say this case appears to be isolated and there’s no increased risk to Albertans at this time.

The infected individual had sought medical care in mid-October after experiencing mild symptoms, and then quickly recovered. There’s no evidence at this time that the virus was transmitted further.

Because the individual sought care at an emergency department, the sample was tested under the Influenza Surveillance Program, which is how the diagnosis of H1N2v was confirmed.

Under the International Health Regulations, an investigation into the origin and potential spread of this virus is mandated.

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“Health officials, in conjunction with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, have launched a public health investigation to determine the source of the virus and to verify that no spread occurred,” says the joint statement.

“The Government of Alberta will continue working closely with Alberta Health Services, the Public Health Agency of Canada and other partners across Canada.”

Meanwhile, Canada’s Chief Public Health Office, Dr. Theresa Tam also said the risk of transmission in the province remains low at this time.

“The current assessment based on available evidence is that there is no increased risk to people, and no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission at this time.

Alberta Health Services is offering optional influenza testing to residents in Central Alberta who are already going for COVID-19 testing.

Hinshaw and Lehman add that this strain of swine flu is quite rare.

“We are taking this seriously, but Albertans should know that sporadic cases of variant influenza have been reported over the past decade in North America.

“Variant Influenza A (H1N2v) is rare with only 27 cases reported globally since 2005, and no cases in Canada prior to this one.”

Hinshaw adds that the risk of human-to-human transmission is extremely minimal, as past variants of Influenza A have seen no such transmission.

H1N2v is not a food-related illness, but instead comes through direct or indirect contact or exposure to infected pigs. Pigs infected with influenza may show symptoms that include:

• Fever
• Coughing (barking)
• Sneezing
• Breathing difficulties
• Eye redness or inflammation
• Not eating

Those who suspect one or more of their pigs are infected with H1N2v is asked to call their veterinarian immediately.

Hinshaw and Lehman will provide an update on this case at noon on Wednesday.