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.

• • 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)