Information For Health Professionals on
Influenza A Variant Viruses H3N2v and H1N2v

Healthcare Providers, ask patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) whether they have had recent exposure to birds or swine. Clinicians are reminded to consider influenza as a possible diagnosis when evaluating patients with acute respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, even outside of the typical influenza season.

Contact MDH to report suspect cases, and to arrange testing prior to specimen submission.

Surveillance, Reporting, Specimen Collection and Testing

H3N2v and H1N2v

  • Commercially available rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) may not detect H3N2v or H1N2v virus in respiratory specimens. MDH is prepared to conduct RT-PCR testing on patients with ILI who meet any of the following criteria:
    • Hospitalized with no other diagnosis for ILI
    • Recent (7 days or less) contact with swine
    • Recent (7 days or less) attendance at a county or agricultural fair at which swine are present
    • Recent contact with someone with ILI who had recent exposure to swine

MDH is also conducting enhanced surveillance through established sentinel influenza surveillance sites.

Use of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Testing

Treatment

  • H3N2v and H1N2v are considered susceptible to antiviral agents oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Further information on diagnosis and treatment

Updated Friday, 26-Apr-2013 13:41:00 CDT