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Germany recently reported a swine-origin variant H1N1 (H1N1v) influenza infection, which was identified during routine surveillance, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today in a statement.

The patient is an adult aged 30 to 40 from North Rhine-Westphalia state whose symptoms began on Mar 21. A nasal swab was collected on Mar 24, and influenza A was detected on Mar 29. Follow-up sequencing at the national flu lab at the Robert Koch Institute revealed a Eurasian avian-like swine H1N1 virus. Further characterization is under way.

The patient didn't have contact with pigs but lives in a region where there are many swine farms. Some of his or her contacts are swine farmers. The patient was not hospitalized and has recovered. No related illnesses were found in the patient's contacts.

Human infections with swine variant flu viruses are sporadically reported and typically result in mild illness. The WHO said they are still considered a rare and unusual event. May 19 WHO statement

In its latest update, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported more highly pathogenic avian flu outbreaks in seven states, including two that reported outbreaks at commercial farms.

Minnesota reported an outbreak at a commercial turkey breeding farm in Kandiyohi County in the central part of the state that housed 4,700 birds. Minnesota also reported an outbreak involving backyard birds in Clay County.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania reported an outbreak at a commercial duck breeder in Berks County that had 7,200 birds.

The virus continues to strike backyard facilities, with four outbreaks reported in Idaho's Ada and Canyon counties. Similar reports came from Illinois (Boone County), North Dakota (Burke County), Oregon (Lane County), and Washington (Thurston County).

In related developments, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) yesterday reported more wild bird avian flu detections, alongside its notification about the Lane County backyard bird outbreak. It said the virus was found in Canada goose goslings from a park in Eugene, part of a larger outbreak at the location.

The virus was also found in a red-tailed hawk and an osprey from the Eugene area. The ODA said the cases mark the state's first detections of the virus in wild birds. USDA APHIS poultry avian influenza page May 18 ODA statement

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