3rd Swine Flu Case Confirmed in Taiwan

CNA reported yesterday another young woman living in Taiwan was diagnosed with the A H1N2 variant (H1N2v) of the novel swine influenza virus.

As of May 11, 2023, this is only the third swine flu case ever seen in Taiwan, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

This zoonotic influenza case came into contact with swine from working at a pig farm. But the virus was not detected in any of the pigs on the farm where the girl worked.

Close contacts were identified, but none tested positive for the H1N2v virus.

Taiwan's first human H1N2v infection was reported in April 2021.

Unlike swine flu, avian influenza Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HAPI) viruses have been detected in birds, mammals (cats, bears, dogs), and humans during 2022-2023.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Technical Report issued on March 17, 2023, confirmed the current risk to the public from HPAI A(H5N1) viruses remains low.

However, continued sporadic human infections are anticipated because of the potential for influenza viruses to evolve.

As of April 6, 2023, about 240 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus have been reported from four countries within the Western Pacific Region since January 2003.

Of these bird flu cases, 135 were fatal, resulting in a case fatality rate of 56%.

Should a human pandemic occur in 2023, the U.S. government has already stockpiled U.S. FDA-approved bird flu vaccines, and other development efforts have been funded as of May 12, 2023.

Furthermore, the CDC says annual flu shots are not designed to protect people against either bird or swine flu infections.