Statement By Commissioner Leonard Blackham Regarding Human Cases of Swine Flu (H1N1)
I want to reassure the public that there is no evidence at this time showing that swine in Utah have been infected with the H1N1 flu virus.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food's Animal Health Safety Plan includes a network of State and private veterinarians who are monitoring the health of swine in Utah.
According to scientists at USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot contract swine flu from eating pork or pork products.
Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F kills all viruses and other foodborne pathogens.
Since flu is also transmissible from human to animal, Utah swine and poultry producers are advised to not mingle with their animals if producers are showing flu-like symptoms.
We continue to work with Utah health agencies to monitor the situation and keep the public informed.
Frequently asked questions about swine flu is available here.
Posted January 25, 2008