- Written by GlobalData's senior healthcare analyst for infectious diseases, Dr. Ramya Kartikeyan.

Reports of swine flu infections have begun to circulate within the media once again. Since July 2011, the incidence of swine flu cases has increased, especially in individuals who were in direct contact with pigs. The strain of influenza is a H3N2 variant, otherwise known as the H3N2v, which includes the M gene from the human influenza A (H1N1) strain from the 2009 pandemic. Centre for disease control and prevention (CDC) press releases state that the current incidence of infection, while growing, was not a cause for concern due to the mild nature of the infections. The CDC has also issued a guide for appropriate action by individuals who may come in contact with pigs, such as people raising pigs, or even those that attend fairs with animals present.