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Canada’s first case of H1N2 influenza has been confirmed in central Alberta.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, and Dr. Keith Lehman, the chief provincial veterinarian, issued a statement Wednesday morning confirming a person tested positive for the virus in mid-October but said it appears to be one isolated case and there is no increased risk to Albertans at this time.
H1N2 influenza is known to occur in swine herds around the world, according to the Alberta government website, but is not a food-borne illness associated with eating pork.
“The virus was detected in mid-October after an Alberta patient sought medical care with influenza-like symptoms. The patient experienced mild symptoms, was tested and then quickly recovered. There is no evidence at this time that the virus has spread further,” the statement says.
“Health officials, in conjunction with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, have launched a public health investigation to determine the source of the virus and to verify that no spread occurred. The Government of Alberta will continue working closely with Alberta Health Services, the Public Health Agency of Canada and other partners across Canada.”
The case is the first detected in Canada and only the 27th globally since 2005, Hinshaw and Lehman said.
People in central Alberta will be offered influenza testing if they present for COVID-19 testing at an AHS assessment centre, the statement says.
