In November 2023, the first human case of the flu strain A(H1N2)v was detected in the United Kingdom. The case was detected as part of a routine flu surveillance by the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and another agency, though the source of the infection is unknown. While the case is said to be mild similar to flu viruses circulating in pigs and the patient already recovered, experts expressed concerns about another possible swine flu pandemic.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.
Since 2019, African Swine Flu (ASF) has threatened the swine industry in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Data on ASF farm outbreaks reported in the Philippines between August 2019 and July 2022 reveals that Central Luzon was the region with the largest number of reported outbreaks, followed by Region I and Region II. ASF outbreaks resulted in the culling of over an estimated 300,000 pigs which significantly impacted the Philippine pork industry.
With this recent case of swine flu strain in humans, it is important to present available information and create an opportunity for exchange and discuss intercepting A(H1N2)v in humans and preventive measures. A webinar to convene experts on the field is being organized by PhilOHUN to provide a venue for exchange and discussion to disseminate the right information to our stakeholders and community members.
The activity aims to present the information available on this discovery of Swine Flu in humans to facilitate exchange and its dissemination to the public.
Specifically, this activity intends to:
present available information on swine flu and the human case of swine flu strain A(H1N2)v reported in the United Kingdom;
provide preventive measures to intercept A(H1N2)v in humans; and
discuss means of collaboration through the One Health approach in preventing A(H1N2)v in the Philippines.
Participants are requested to register through this link: http://bit.ly/swinefluwebinar2.
For inquiries, you may contact Mr. Migs Marasigan (Program Manager) at miguel@philohun.org or Ms. Joan Salise (Program Officer) at joansalise@philohun.org.