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USDA Confirms 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus in State Fair Pig
October 19, 2009
The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed the presence of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in a pig sample collected at the Minnesota State Fair submitted by the University of Minnesota. Additional samples are being tested.
Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack reiterated that people cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products. Additionally, the infection of a show pig at the State Fair does not indicate an infection in commercial herds. Show pigs and commercially raised pigs are separate segments of the swine industry that usually come from different animal stock and are handled by different personnel.
The AVMA urges all people exhibiting symptoms of novel H1N1 or any flu-like symptoms to avoid contact with other people and livestock in order to prevent the introduction and spread of influenza viruses. The AVMA urges swine producers to participate in the USDA's swine influenza virus surveillance program.
Read the USDA-APHIS press release.
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