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Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2024; 52(05): 296-303
DOI: 10.1055/a-2410-1530
Case Report

Reverse zoonotic transmission of human seasonal influenza to a pig herd in Sweden

Reverse zoonotische Übertragung der saisonalen humanen Influenza in einem Schweinebetrieb in Schweden
Kaisa Ryytty Sylvén
1   Farm & Animal Health, Uppsala, Sweden
,
Magdalena Jacobson
2   Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
,
Lukas Schwarz
3   Clinical Centre for Population Medicine in Fish, Pig and Poultry, Clinical Department for Farm Animals and Food System Science, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
,
Siamak Zohari
4   Department of Microbiology, Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract

In January 2023, a Swedish piglet-producing farm with 2800 sows in production (SIP) was diagnosed with IAV (Influenza A virus) and the isolates were shown to cluster with the human seasonal influenza (2022/2023). In December 2022, employees with flu like symptoms tended to the pigs and a few weeks later, respiratory signs appeared in different age groups; sows in farrowing units were anorectic and pyrectic. Lung and nasal swabs were tested positive for IAV and other respiratory infectious agents. Blanket vaccination against H1N1pdm09 of sows and gilts was initiated but discontinued for sows after 2 treatments. Biosecurity measures aiming to reduce the spread of virus were implemented. However, the compliance to follow the protocol was moderate.

Combining immunity and strict sanitary measures is crucial to control virus circulation. As the farmer discontinued sow vaccination and just partly increased biosecurity, this may have contributed to ongoing virus circulation and clinical signs in pigs, even 5 months post-diagnosis. Although H1N1pdm09 already had been found in the herd in 2017, there were no clinical signs or diagnostic results indicating continuous circulation of this or other IAV strains afterwards. However, this cannot be entirely excluded. Swine IAVs pose a risk of reintroduction into the human population, highlighting the importance of vaccination of farm workers against seasonal influenza.

Zusammenfassung

Im Januar 2023 wurde auf einem schwedischen Ferkelerzeugerbetrieb mit 2800 produktiven Sauen Influenza A Virus (IAV) nachgewiesen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass diese Virusisolate mit saisonalen humanen Influenza A Viren (2022/2023) clusterten. Im Dezember 2022 arbeiteten Mitarbeiter, die an grippeähnlichen Symptomen litten, in dem Betrieb und einige Wochen später traten Atemwegssymptome in Schweinen verschiedener Altersgruppen auf; Sauen in der Abferkelung waren anorektisch und hatten eine erhöhte innere Körpertemperatur. Lungen und Nasentupfer waren positiv auf IAV und andere respiratorische Erreger. Eine flächendeckende Impfung gegen H1N1pdm09 von Sauen und Jungsauen wurde eingeleitet, aber nach 2 Behandlungen bei den Sauen eingestellt. Biosicherheitsmaßnahmen zur Unterbrechung der Infektketten wurden eingeführt. Diese wurden jedoch durch den Landwirt nicht konsequent umgesetzt.

Die Kombination von Immunität und strengen hygienischen Maßnahmen ist entscheidend, um die Viruszirkulation zu kontrollieren. Da der Landwirt die Impfung der Sauen eingestellt und die Biosicherheit nur teilweise angepasst hat, könnte dies zur selbst 5 Monate nach der Diagnose anhaltenden Viruszirkulation und klinischen Symptomatik bei den Schweinen beigetragen haben. Obwohl in 2017 H1N1pdm09 in dem Betrieb nachgewiesen wurde, gab es in den Jahren danach keine klinischen Anzeichen oder auch diagnostische Nachweise die eine kontinuierliche Zirkulation dieses oder anderer IAV Stämme vermuten lassen. Dies kann jedoch nicht vollständig ausgeschlossen werden. Porzine IAVs stellen ein Risiko für den Wiedereintrag in die menschliche Bevölkerung dar, was die Bedeutung der Impfung von Arbeitskräften in Schweineställen gegen saisonale Influenza unterstreicht.

Keywords

Pig - Influenza A Virus - IAV - H1N1pdm09 - NGS - reverse zoonotic

Schlüsselwörter

Schwein - IAV - H1N1pdm09 - NGS - reverse Zoonose

Zusätzliches Material



Publication History

Received: 05 March 2024

Accepted: 20 June 2024

Article published online:
24 October 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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