A toddler in Pennsylvania caught a case of swine flu after being in touch with pigs, well being officers reported Friday (March 29).The an infection marks the primary human case of swine flu flagged within the U.S. thus far this 12 months, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) reported in its Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report.The an infection, initially detected by the Pennsylvania Division of Well being, was brought on by a “novel” influenza A virus, one of many main varieties of flu virus. The detected virus belongs to a identified subtype of influenza A that frequently infects pigs, known as H1N2, however it’s a newly recognized pressure. Sporadically, swine flu viruses like H1N2 can soar into people, and once they do, they’re generally known as “variant” influenza viruses.Human infections with variant flu viruses most frequently occur in folks with current publicity to contaminated pigs. For example, it is thought that sick pigs might cough or sneeze droplets containing virus into the air, the place they’ll then be inhaled by folks or deposited on surfaces that folks then contact. On this current case, native well being officers discovered that the affected person had “swine contact previous to their sickness onset.” In an emailed assertion, the CDC added that the contaminated particular person lives close to a pig farm in Pennsylvania.Associated: The worst epidemics and pandemics in historyThe contaminated youngster began receiving medical look after the an infection on March 9, was finally hospitalized and has since recovered. There isn’t any proof that the an infection unfold from the contaminated particular person to further folks, the CDC reported, though “the investigation is ongoing.”Well being officers did report that two of the affected person’s shut contacts developed delicate sickness and had been in touch with pigs earlier than the affected person fell in poor health. Nonetheless, the report does not specify if these two people are additionally suspected of experiencing swine flu.Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.”It is very important observe that usually, variant influenza viruses haven’t proven the flexibility to unfold simply and sustainably from individual to individual,” the CDC famous in its report. (The “swine flu” pandemic in 2009 concerned a virus containing a mixture of genes from swine, avian and human influenza viruses, which enabled it to unfold simply between folks.)Human swine flu circumstances most frequently trigger signs just like the common seasonal flu. These embody fever, lethargy, poor urge for food and coughing. Some folks develop a runny nostril, sore throat, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. That mentioned, swine flu can typically progress and trigger severe sickness that requires hospitalization and might probably be deadly, just like seasonal flu. Antiviral medication used to deal with seasonal flu may deal with swine flu.Final 12 months, the CDC reported two human swine flu infections that had been tied to agricultural festivals in Michigan, and in 2022, it reported 4 — three related to an agricultural honest and considered one of unknown origin. Precautions folks can take to keep away from swine flu embody not consuming or consuming close to pigs; avoiding contact with pigs that seem sick; and washing their fingers typically with cleaning soap and water earlier than and after contact with pigs.This text is for informational functions solely and isn’t meant to supply medical recommendation.Ever surprise why some folks construct muscle extra simply than others or why freckles come out within the solar? Ship us your questions on how the human physique works to neighborhood@livescience.com with the topic line “Well being Desk Q,” and you may even see your query answered on the web site!