Flu variant linked to pigs identified in Manitoba
The Manitoba government is advising people about a variant case of the flu virus that has been identified in the province.
Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development said the variant H1N2 has been identified and reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
This specific variant is a virus that comes from pigs.
"Influenza viruses from pigs do not normally infect humans," the province said in a news release. "However, sporadic human infections with influenza viruses that normally circulate in pigs have occurred. When this happens, these viruses are called 'variant viruses'."
The case was identified in October after the person wasn't feeling well and they were tested for COVID-19.
The province said the person's symptoms were mild and their test came back negative for COVID.
The test was later identified as the variant influenza case as part of regular influenza surveillance.
"The individual had direct exposure to pigs. Based on available evidence, the current assessment is that there is no increased risk to people, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission at this time."
The government added there also isn't a risk to the food supply chain.
Officials are reassuring people that this isn't a food-related illness and they cannot get the variant from pork meat or by eating pork.
"Health officials, in conjunction with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, have performed a public health investigation to determine the source of the virus and have not identified any further spread."
If people who work with pigs or poultry get tested for COVID-19, they are told to identify themselves as agricultural workers so officials can see if there are any more influenza cases.
Officials said this variant does not spread easily among humans and is considered rare but they also have tips for people to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
People are told not to take food or drinks into pigs' areas and they should not put anything in their mouths while in pig areas, avoid contact with pigs that look ill, wash your hands before and after interacting with pigs, and avoid pigs if you have flu symptoms. Anyone who is a high risk to complications should avoid pigs and pig barns.
For information on this flu variant, people can visit the Government of Canada's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to start evacuating from the area, signalling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent.
'Love has no boundaries': Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.