INDIANAPOLIS — Health officials have now confirmed 113 cases of variant influenza A (H3N2v), impacting 18 counties statewide, the Indiana Department of Health reported today. More cases are expected to be confirmed this week.

Variant influenza A cases have been confirmed in the following counties: Bartholomew, Greene, Hamilton, Hendricks, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Porter, Scott, Tipton, Washington and White.

Variant influenza A virus can be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine. Human infections are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to live infected pigs, such as working with them in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by eating pork and pork products. 

Health officials have not determined whether or not person-to-person transmission is possible at this time,.

Flu symptoms usually include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms can last anywhere from three to eight days.

“It’s important for folks to remember this is a mild illness with symptoms similar to what we see with seasonal flu,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Gregory Larkin in a news release. “Because this is a relatively new strain of flu, only first seen in July of last year, a vaccine is not yet available. However, you can help to protect yourself by practicing thorough and frequent hand washing and by being mindful not to eat around barn animals.”

With questions about variant influenza A, call the Indiana State Department of Health call center at (877) 826-0011 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday-Friday.