Pigs being readied for market - credit Canadian Pork Council

By Dori Modney

Alberta Agriculture joins Alberta Health Services’ investigation into case of Swine flu

Nov 4, 2020 | 1:47 PM

EDMONTON, AB. — A confirmed case of variant Influenza A (H1N2)v, also known as swine flu, was detected in central Alberta in mid-October, after an Alberta patient sought medical care with influenza-like symptoms.

In a statement from Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, and Dr. Keith Lehman, chief provincial veterinarian, it`s noted “the patient experienced mild symptoms, was tested and then quickly recovered. There is no evidence at this time that the virus has spread further.“

While the case appears to be isolated and there is no increased risk, at this time, Alberta Health Services (AHS) officials and veterinarians are on alert and have launched a public health investigation to determine the source of the virus, to verify that no spread occurred.

In terms of human and agricultural concerns, swine flu occurs in people who have had direct contact with infected pigs or another human case of the virus. Symptoms are similar to that of regular human influenza and can include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Both AHS and Alberta Agriculture underscore the fact that, “H1N2 is not a food-related illness. It is not transmissible to people through pork meat or other products that come from pigs and there is no risk associated with eating pork.`

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The government statement pointed out that sporadic cases of variant influenza have been reported over the past decade in North America. Variant Influenza A (H1N2) is rare with only 27 cases reported globally since 2005, and no cases in Canada prior to the current case.

U.S. cases of swine flu have been related to factory farms.

AHS is proactively offering influenza testing to residents in parts of central Alberta if they are presenting for COVID-19 testing at an AHS assessment centre.

Results of the AHS and veterinarian investigations will be made public when the outcomes become available.

Related information: H1N2 influenza information for producers