12 People Infected With H3N2v Swine Flu
Posted on January 11, 2012
The CDC says in its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) that it has received reports of 12 human infections with influenza A (H3N2)v viruses. The CDC says the new swine flu strain contains the matrix (M) gene from the influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus (formerly called swine-origin influenza A [H3N2] and pandemic influenza A [H1N1] 2009 viruses).
The 12 cases occurred in five states (Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia). Eleven of the twelve cases were children. Six of the 12 patients had no identified recent exposure to swine. Three of the 12 patients were hospitalized, and all have recovered fully.
U.S. News reports that the sample of cases so far is too small for CDC epidemiologists to determine how contagious the new swine flu strain will become. If it does spread the current seasonal flu vaccine will not be much help.