Health officials have reported a human case of swine flu A (H1N1) in Lleida, Spain. The individual, an 83-year-old man with pre-existing chronic conditions, is currently in stable condition and has no known connection to pig farming.
The virus was detected during routine surveillance testing on February 11, 2026, even though the man was not experiencing any flu-like symptoms at the time of the test, which was initially conducted for unrelated health reasons on January 30, 2026. Even as the H1N1 virus typically circulates among pigs, it can occasionally spread to humans through direct contact with animals or contaminated environments. This finding highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring for zoonotic diseases.
According to Jacobo Mendioroz, subdirector general of Vigilance and Response to Public Health Emergencies, this is a sporadic and unusual case. “It’s a sporadic case, given that there are remarkably few, and unusual, because he has not had contact with pigs,” Mendioroz stated. The previous confirmed case in the region occurred in 2024, involving a worker on a livestock farm. Since 2009, a total of four cases of this particular strain have been reported in Spain.
Officials emphasize that this case does not pose a significant public health risk. Mendioroz explained, “We have checked that it has not deteriorated the health of the person in question or those around them, so it does not pose a public health risk. Neither have we seen circulating viruses in the area, nor has the person had symptoms, nor have people in their environment, who have all been asymptomatic.”
Esteve Fernández, Secretary of Public Health for the Generalitat, confirmed the patient is “perfectly” well. He also clarified that this case is unrelated to African swine fever, which is a separate viral illness. Experts from the Public Health Agency of the Generalitat, national agencies, and the World Health Organization (WHO) are jointly evaluating the situation to determine the origin of the infection.
The WHO has been notified and experts are evaluating the situation
The Public Health Secretariat received notification of the case on February 11, 2026. Standard epidemiological and microbiological surveillance procedures were immediately activated. The case was reported to the Center for Coordination of Alerts and Emergency Health on February 13, 2026, which then relayed the information to the WHO’s reference center, ensuring international notification and alignment with global alert systems.
Very low risk to the population and Health authorities ask not to generate alarm
“The assessment of the risk to the population is considered very low,” the Generalitat affirmed. Subtypes of the swine flu A virus (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) are present in pig populations and can occasionally infect humans, typically through exposure to infected pigs or contaminated environments. In Spain, this marks the fourth reported case since 2009, with the most recent prior case also detected in Lleida in 2024, affecting a swine farm worker. Human infections with these viruses are usually mild, with limited person-to-person transmission, although some cases have resulted in more severe illness.
Pedro Gullón, Director General of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, urged the public not to be alarmed, stating, “These are sporadic cases that also occur in neighboring countries and that normally have close contact with pigs.” Surveillance efforts are underway to prevent secondary cases and pinpoint the source of the infection.
