Published Date: 2012-08-30 20:54:46
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Influenza (79): USA (MN) human infection
Archive Number: 20120830.1273921

INFLUENZA (79): USA (MINNESOTA), HUMAN INFECTION
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Date: Wed 29 Aug 2012
Source: The Star Tribune [edited]
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/167839295.html


Minnesota has recorded its 2nd case of a new strain of swine flu in a man who bought a pig at a live-animal market in Dakota County. But no cases have surfaced at the Minnesota State Fair so far, state officials said Wednesday [29 Aug 2012].

Veterinarians have been on high alert at the fair because of concern about the virus, known as H3N2v, which can spread from pigs to people and has infected nearly 280 people nationwide. As of Wednesday [29 Aug 2012], 3 pigs with flu-like symptoms had been isolated from the Swine Barn and tested for the flu virus, said Dr. Tom Hagerty, the fair's head veterinarian. Two turned out to have a different strain of flu, H1N2, and were being removed from the fairgrounds Wednesday evening, said Brienna Schuette, the fair's spokeswoman. Test results on the 3rd pig are still pending. But Hagerty said it's not unusual for a handful of animals to fall ill during the fair.

Last week, Minnesota reported its 1st human case of the new virus in a preschooler who visited a live-animal market on 10 Aug 2012. The 2nd case, reported Wednesday [29 Aug 2012], was linked to a live-animal market on 17 Aug 2012. The virus is said to be relatively mild and has "not become more virulent or more easily spread," the Minnesota Department of Health said. The new swine flu has surfaced in at least 10 states this summer [2012]. So far, it resembles ordinary seasonal flu, with symptoms that include fever, cough and a runny nose.

Concerns about the possible spread of the virus at the fair prompted extra precautions, including warnings that young children, pregnant women and the elderly avoid the swine exhibits.

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[This 2nd human case of A(H3N2)v virus infection in Minnesota was contracted by an adult from a pig purchased at an open local market, whereas the 1st case was a child presumed to have contracted infection from a pig displayed at the state fair. No onward person-to-person transmission of the infection has been reported so far in either case.

The interactive HealthMap of Minnesota can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/3eo9. - Mod.CP]

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