News Excerpt:
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported the country's first human case of the H1N2 virus, also known as the pig virus.
About H1N2 (Pig Virus):
- The virus is called influenza A(H1N2)v. It is similar to a strain of flu circulating in pigs
- A(H1N2)v is a subtype of the influenza A virus.
- Influenza A viruses circulate in seven species, including humans, birds, and pigs, but normally stay within their species.
Influenza A Virus:
- The primary subtypes of influenza A virus are H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2.
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- In 2009, the swine flu pandemic in humans infected millions of people. It was caused by a virus containing genetic material from viruses circulating in pigs, birds, and humans.
- The influenza virus can mutate and generate new strains, although the symptoms caused by new strains are the same as those caused by the original virus.
- The influenza A virus causes influenza (the flu), a highly contagious respiratory infection.
- Influenza B and, in rare cases, influenza C can also cause the flu.
- It is spread by droplets from an infected person's nose or throat, generally by coughing and sneezing.
- Influenza A infections are most common in winter.
- The proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus are called hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).
- Different virus subtypes have differences in their surface proteins.
- Some influenza A subtypes can infect animals, including:
- Birds (causing avian flu)
- Pigs (causing swine flu)