As an expert in the field of infectious diseases, I have been closely monitoring various outbreaks and their impacts on public health. When it comes to the last outbreak of swine flu in the UK, it's important to clarify what we mean by "swine flu" and to distinguish it from the common seasonal flu that also includes strains that can be found in pigs.
Swine flu, or more accurately, influenza A subtypes that are common in pigs, such as H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2, can occasionally infect humans. These infections usually occur after direct or indirect exposure to pigs or contaminated environments. However, the term "swine flu" has often been used in the media to describe human outbreaks that have some genetic connection to viruses circulating in pigs, even when the virus has adapted to human transmission and is no longer primarily associated with pigs.
The 2009 flu pandemic was caused by a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, which was first identified in April 2009. This strain was termed Pandemic H1N1/09 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is what is commonly referred to as swine flu. It was a global outbreak that had a significant impact on public health worldwide, including in the UK. The virus contained genetic material from viruses that were circulating in pigs, birds, and humans, which allowed it to infect humans and spread efficiently from person to person.
Since the 2009 pandemic, the H1N1 virus has continued to circulate and has become a regular part of the seasonal flu. It is no longer exclusively associated with pigs and is often just referred to as a seasonal flu virus. It's important to note that the flu virus is constantly evolving, and new strains can emerge at any time. Surveillance systems are in place to detect and respond to new strains to prevent or mitigate potential outbreaks.
In recent years, there have been reports of sporadic human cases of swine flu, but these have not escalated into widespread outbreaks like the one seen in 2009. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and other public health organizations are vigilant about monitoring for new cases and potential outbreaks, and they implement measures to control the spread of the virus.
For the most recent and accurate information regarding flu outbreaks, including swine flu, it's best to refer to the latest reports and updates from reputable sources such as the UKHSA, WHO, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These organizations have the resources and expertise to provide detailed and evidence-based information on flu activity and any emerging strains of concern.

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Health Protection Agency (HPA) * Data from Health Protection Agency. The 2009 flu pandemic was a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, first identified in April 2009, termed Pandemic H1N1/09 virus by the World Health Organization (WHO) and colloquially called swine flu.read more >>