Lapeer County child has Michigan's 1st human swine flu case of 2023

Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·4 min read
The first two U.S. cases of swine flu in humans this year are linked to infected pigs at county fairs in Michigan, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Friday.

A Lapeer County child who was an exhibitor at the Oakland County Fair is believed to have Michigan's first human case of swine flu this year, state health officials said Wednesday.

The child, who was identified only as younger than 18, also may be the first U.S. human case in 2023, said Chelsea Wuth, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. A respiratory specimen that tested presumptive positive for swine flu is to be sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing.

"This is the first case in Michigan and this is the first human case we are aware of in 2023 (nationally)," she said in an email to the Free Press, noting, however, that the CDC may be awaiting test results from other states that could precede this one.

The child has an influenza A H3 strain of the virus and contracted it after contact with infected pigs at the fair, which took place July 7-16 at Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg, state health officials said.

How does swine flu spread?

Pigs can be infected with strains of swine influenza viruses that are different from human flu viruses and can rarely spread them to people. Transmission is thought to happen in the same way that human flu viruses spread: mainly through droplets when infected pigs cough and sneeze, state health leaders said.

There is the potential for swine flu to spread from person to person, Wuth said, but there have been no documented cases of human-to-human transmission yet. People cannot get swine flu from eating properly prepared pork or handling pork products.

The Oakland County Health Division has been in contact with swine exhibitors at the fair and families who visited the swine barns to identify any additional cases among those who were exposed to infected pigs. Health care providers in Oakland County also have been notified to watch for patients who have respiratory symptoms and report exposure to swine or attending the fair.

How can I avoid getting the virus?

“Visitors of the Oakland County Fair should monitor for flu-like symptoms: fever, respiratory symptoms like cough and runny nose, and body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, said in a statement. “If you believe you may have the flu, contact your health care provider and stay home until you have recovered.”

MDHHS recommends taking these steps to prevent the potential spread of illness, especially when attending fairs or other places where there are livestock:

  • Refrain from eating or drinking in livestock barns or show rings.

  • Do not take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers or similar items into pig areas.

  • Anyone who is at high risk of serious flu complications and planning to attend a fair should avoid pigs and swine barns.

  • 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 seven 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.

  • Get an annual influenza vaccination.

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

Currently, there is no vaccine for influenza A H3, and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against this swine flu strain.

More: Swine flu detected at Oakland County Fair: Precautions urged for fairgoers

However, state health officials said prescription antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, can treat swine flu infections, especially when given early.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of human strains of seasonal flu viruses and can include:

  • Fever.

  • Respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose.

  • Body aches.

  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

  • Infections with influenza viruses, including swine flu strains, can sometimes cause severe disease, even in healthy people, such as pneumonia, which can lead to hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

People who are at high risk of developing complications if they get a swine flu infection include children younger than 5, people 65 and older, those who are pregnant and those who have health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions.

The time period it takes from exposure to illness for swine flu is similar to that of seasonal influenza, which can be up to 10 days, but is most commonly three days.

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kristenshamus. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lapeer County child has Michigan's 1st human swine flu case of 2023