THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Columbus Dispatch, Kyle Robertson
The United States has reported the first known death caused by the H3N2 variant virus, the new swine flu that has been jumping from pigs to people there.
And in another development that underscores how dynamic the intersection is between pigs, people and influenza viruses, health authorities in Minnesota announced Friday they have found three people infected with a different swine flu virus, an H1N2 variant virus.
An unidentified Ohio woman became the first to succumb to infection with H3N2v, which was first seen in people in the U.S. last summer. The virus has triggered an explosion of cases — 288 at last count — in 10 states this summer...
She said the CDC is concerned that with the resumption of school and the impending change in the weather this virus could become more transmissible among people. So far only a few instances of person-to-person spread have been seen with H3N2v.
But Finelli noted that late last year there was some human-to-human transmission in Iowa and West Virginia. While the numbers last year weren’t high, she said the CDC is worried that pattern might be repeated this year.
“We learned from that situation that we have to be ultra-vigilant as weather changes from hot weather to cold weather,” Finelli said.
There is evidence that suggests flu transmission is more efficient when temperatures are cooler and absolute humidity drops.
As well, young children are highly susceptible to this virus, having no immunity to it. So if an infected child went to school, there is a possibility the virus could take off among his or her classmates.... http://metronews.ca/news/world/354993/us-reports-first-death-from-new-swine-flu/
And in another development that underscores how dynamic the intersection is between pigs, people and influenza viruses, health authorities in Minnesota announced Friday they have found three people infected with a different swine flu virus, an H1N2 variant virus.
An unidentified Ohio woman became the first to succumb to infection with H3N2v, which was first seen in people in the U.S. last summer. The virus has triggered an explosion of cases — 288 at last count — in 10 states this summer...
She said the CDC is concerned that with the resumption of school and the impending change in the weather this virus could become more transmissible among people. So far only a few instances of person-to-person spread have been seen with H3N2v.
But Finelli noted that late last year there was some human-to-human transmission in Iowa and West Virginia. While the numbers last year weren’t high, she said the CDC is worried that pattern might be repeated this year.
“We learned from that situation that we have to be ultra-vigilant as weather changes from hot weather to cold weather,” Finelli said.
There is evidence that suggests flu transmission is more efficient when temperatures are cooler and absolute humidity drops.
As well, young children are highly susceptible to this virus, having no immunity to it. So if an infected child went to school, there is a possibility the virus could take off among his or her classmates.... http://metronews.ca/news/world/354993/us-reports-first-death-from-new-swine-flu/
