The first case of infection with an unidentified strain of swine flu was recorded in the UK.

According to UK health officials, a citizen of the country has become infected with a never-before-seen strain of swine flu. Health safety officials are now trying to figure out how the person contracted the virus. The disease manifests itself in the form of fever, cough, runny nose and body aches. Some experience diarrhea and vomiting.

A UK resident has been infected with a strain of swine flu never before seen in Britain, UKHSA officials said on November 27.

The unnamed case, believed to be from North Yorkshire, has tested positive for swine flu. He came to the doctor with “respiratory symptoms.”

Officials are now trying to trace all of the Briton’s contacts, writes the Daily Mail. They also urged anyone with “respiratory symptoms” to stay home and avoid any contact with others until the illness subsides.

The particular strain, called H1N2, can be transmitted from sick pigs to humans, but only rarely spreads between people. It is different from H1N1, which caused the swine flu pandemic in 2009, which killed 457 people in the UK alone and 280,000 worldwide.

People who become infected typically suffer from seasonal flu symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose and body aches. Some may also experience diarrhea and vomiting. It is stated that the disease is mild and goes away on its own within a few weeks. The risk of death is low.

However, scientists warn that children under five, people over 65, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions are at greater risk of complications if infected.

The person who contracted the unidentified strain has now made a “full recovery,” officials said. Health chiefs are now “monitoring the situation closely” and are expanding the swine flu surveillance programme, particularly in North Yorkshire health centres.

They urge anyone who has any “respiratory symptoms” to avoid contact with other people while the illness persists.

The case was identified as part of routine national influenza surveillance conducted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

Scientists are now urging everyone to get tested for the virus. UKHSA Incident Director Meera Chand said: “It is through regular flu surveillance and genome sequencing that we were able to detect this virus. This is the first time we have detected it in humans in the UK, although it is very similar to viruses found in pigs. Investigations are being conducted in accordance with established protocols to determine how the individual became infected and to assess whether there are any other related cases.”

Chief Veterinarian Christine Middlemiss also urged pig farmers to report any suspected swine flu to vets immediately: “We know that some animal diseases can be transmitted to humans, so high standards of animal health, welfare and biosecurity are important. Through our animal and human monitoring systems, we work together to protect everyone. In this case we are providing specialist veterinary and scientific expertise to support the UKHSA’s investigation.”

UKHSA has notified the World Health Organization of the latest case. Since 2005, a total of 50 human cases of H1N2 have been reported worldwide. But none are genetically related to the strain, officials said.

In August, a Michigan fairgoer also tested positive for the same strain of H1N2 swine flu after exposure to a sick pig.

WHO officials said the unnamed Briton was under 18 years old and had no underlying health conditions. It was also added that he had no contact with pigs, which raises questions.