A human case of swine flu A (H1N1) has been detected in Lleida, as communicated by the Departament de Salut. It is the fourth reported infection of this virus in people in the Spanish State since 2009.
Joint evaluation of health agencies
Experts from the Organización Mundial de la Salud, the Centro de Coordinación de Alertas y Emergencias Sanitarias and the Agencia de Salud Pública are analyzing the case. The patient went to the hospital for reasons unrelated to respiratory symptoms and a sample was taken from them within the framework of the epidemiological surveillance of influenza viruses.
Once the positive was confirmed, all health alert circuits were activated. The case was notified to the Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies on February 13 and, subsequently, to the European authorities and the WHO, which confirmed the sequencing result.
Low risk for the population and contact tracing
"The risk for the population of getting infected with this virus is very low" - Spokesperson, Departament de Salut
Neither the patient nor any of their contacts had been exposed to pigs, farms or other animals that can transmit the virus. The contacts did not show symptoms and the PCRs they underwent tested negative.
Investigation underway and background in Catalonia
Currently two possibilities are being investigated: that it is an asymptomatic flu or that the patient was not infected and there had been environmental contamination, either from the patient or from the sample. Blood samples have been sent to the WHO reference laboratory to determine if the patient has generated antibodies, which would confirm a real infection.
This is the second case detected in Catalonia since 2009. The last case of swine flu in the community was registered in 2024 in a worker.