The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has raised the alarm after a strain of swine flu-like virus was identified in humans for the first time in the UK.

According to news.sky one person in North Yorkshire was diagnosed with the disease after visiting the doctor as he was experiencing breathing problems.

The UK Health Safety Authority (UKHSA) stated that is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to increase surveillance under existing programs that include clinics and hospitals.

Meera Chand, Incident Manager at UKHSA, said: “This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, although it is similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs.”

The director of the Veterinary Office, Christine Middlemiss, said in turn: “In this case we provide specialist veterinary and scientific knowledge to support UKHSA research. Pig farmers should also immediately report any suspected swine flu in their herds to their local vet.” he said.

It is not known at this stage how contagious the strain is or if there could be further cases in the UK.

A total of 50 human cases of influenza A virus have been reported(H1N2) worldwide since 2005. but none of them are genetically related to this strain.