LANSING – The Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH), and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), along with the Berrien County Health Department (BCHD) have identified one case of an H3N2 variant (H3N2v) in a child who was a swine exhibitor at the Aug. 12-17 Berrien County Youth Fair.

The child, who was not hospitalized, is reported to have contracted H3N2v after exposure to swine at the fair.

In addition, a sick pig from the fair tested positive for Influenza A H3N2 at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. MDCH, MDARD and BCHD are working with the Berrien County Youth Fair (BCYF) board to reach out to swine exhibitors who attended the fair to identify additional illnesses.

As a precaution, Michigan public health agencies have conducted an extensive multi-state outreach to meat processing plants that were identified as being in receipt of live swine from the fair. These facilities have been made aware of the potential exposure to their employees, symptoms of illness and given instruction on seeking care and testing. MDARD has notified managers at eight additional fairs scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, and asked them to reach out to swine exhibitors and the fair veterinarians about the H3N2v case and to use proper safety measures to prevent spreading illnesses.

“Influenza is common to swine and is not a food safety concern,” said Dr. James Averill, MDARD Animal Industry Division Director and State Veterinarian. “Berrien County Youth Fair had hand washing stations, posters and good biosecurity practices in place, and it’s important that all fairs continue these practices.”

Symptoms of H3N2v infection in people are similar to those of seasonal flu viruses and can include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Infections with influenza viruses (including variant viruses like H3N2v) can sometimes cause severe disease, even in healthy people. This can include complications, such as pneumonia, which may require hospitalization, and sometimes results in death. People who are at high risk of developing complications if they get influenza include children younger than 5 years of age, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women and people with certain long-term health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions.

“While this variant flu virus has rarely been shown to spread from person to person, we remain on the look-out for such secondary cases. In addition, any individual with flu-like-symptoms at this time, prior to the traditional flu season, should contact their medical provider and local health department,” said Dr. Rick Johansen, BCHD medical director.

The incubation period (the time it takes from exposure to illness) for this influenza, like the usual seasonal influenza, is one to seven days; and most commonly two days. Therefore, it is unlikely that there will be new cases from direct exposure at the Berrien County Youth Fair.

Early treatment works best and may be especially important for people with a high -isk condition. Currently there is no vaccine for H3N2v and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H3N2v.

“While Michigan did see a handful of H3N2v cases in 2012, this first case for 2013 should serve as an important reminder of the simple steps that can be taken to protect our health as we would with any flu season,” said Dr. Matthew Davis, chief medical executive with the MDCH. “Washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough and staying home when you feel sick are some of the best ways to protect yourself and others from becoming ill.”

Below are some steps that you can take to protect yourself and prevent the spread of any illness:

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Do not eat or drink in livestock barns or show rings.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• If you are sick, stay home from work or school until your illness is over.

• Avoid contact with pigs if you have flu-like symptoms. Wait 7 days after your illness started or until you have been without fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, whichever is longer. If you must have contact with pigs while you are sick, take the protective actions listed above.

• Get an annual influenza vaccination.