Swine flu has been reported in a child in Colorado and a person in Michigan.
The Colorado case occurred in a patient under 18 years of age who was infected with the influenza A(H3N2) variant after attending an agricultural event, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) weekly flu report. The child was treated in mid-July and was not hospitalized. No close contacts were found to have swine flu, but health officials are continuing to investigate.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also reported a human case of swine flu in Ingham County on Friday. No further details were available about the patient or how the individual became infected and the case is still under investigation.
“While we believe this is an isolated case, Michigan residents should monitor for flu-like symptoms: fever, respiratory symptoms like cough and runny nose and body aches,” Michigan Chief Medical Executive Natasha Bagdasarian, M.D., M.P.H., FIDSA, FACP, said in a news release. “If you have these symptoms, we recommend taking a test for influenza as well as COVID-19.”
Swine flu normally does not circulate in people. Most people who are infected have been exposed to swine, although the virus can be passed from person to person, according to the CDC.
The CDC recommends people prevent flu at fairs by washing their hands often, not eating or drinking in animal areas, avoiding contact with animals that look or act sick, not bringing children’s items near animals and staying at home if they are sick.
The CDC also has been monitoring an ongoing outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) that is causing illness in poultry and dairy cows. Since March 24, 13 human cases have been reported in people working with these animals.
People with close exposure to sick or dead animals should wear personal protective equipment. People should cook poultry, eggs and beef to a safe temperature and should not consume raw or unpasteurized milk products.
The CDC has published a new influenza risk assessment tool report on the influenza A (H5N1) virus linked to the outbreak.
Resources
- Information from the CDC on swine flu
- Information from the CDC on preventing flu at fairs
- CDC avian flu monitoring page
- Information for families from HealthyChildren.org on swine flu and bird flu
