Statement from Commissioner Leonard Blackham
We think it is important for the public to understand that:
• This 2009 H1N1 flu is not the same as the Swine Flu that was responsible for outbreaks in the past.
(The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza currently circulating among humans is a “novel” flu strain, with a genetic makeup that is unique and has not been seen before in humans, birds or pigs).
• This H1N1 virus HAS NOT BEEN reported to be circulating in any herd in Utah or the U.S.
• If it were, humans cannot be infected with the virus by eating pork or pork products.
• Our department is redoubling its efforts to monitor hog and pig herds for any signs of respiratory infection. We have a plan to take swift action if it is detected.
• Utah hog and pig operators use advanced bio-security measurers to prevent infected humans from contacting swine.
• We also encourage the news media to refrain from calling this flu strain “Swine Flu” since it is not the same strain that caused illness in the past.
UTAH COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, LEONARD BLACKHAM SUPPORTS USDA STATEMENT REGARDING ANIMAL HEALTH AND 2009 PANDEMIC H1N1 INFLUENZA
Swine influenza has been present in the United States for over 80 years, but the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus now circulating among humans is not the same as “swine flu.” The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza currently circulating among humans is a “novel” flu strain, with a genetic makeup that is unique and has not been seen before in humans, birds or pigs.
To date there have been no reports that this 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza is circulating anywhere in the U.S. swine herd. And if it were, you cannot get infected with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus from eating pork or pork products.
This fall, it is possible that we will find the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in swine. USDA has implemented a swine influenza virus surveillance program. Monitoring and studying these influenza viruses in swine will help us learn about the virus, create better tools to diagnose and develop new and improved vaccines to protect U.S swine herds.
USDA continues to study the virus in agricultural animals to provide the best protection for both public and animal health. USDA also has made master seed virus for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 flu available to interested veterinary biologics manufacturers. This action will allow manufacturers to more rapidly produce an approved vaccine. USDA estimates that providing two seed viruses to five manufacturers saved each company approximately 4 to 7 months of time normally spent in development, testing and regulatory submissions.
Since last spring and the onset of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza outbreak in humans, USDA has consistently asked that the media stop calling this “novel” pandemic virus “swine flu.” By continuing to mislabel the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus that is affecting human populations around the world, the media is causing undue and undeserved harm to America’s agriculture industry, especially to pork producers.
Each time the term is used it unfairly hurts America’s farmers who are suffering severe economic losses during these challenging economic times. And each time the media uses the phrase “swine flu” a hog farmer, their workers and their families suffer. It is simply not fair or correct to associate the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza with hogs, an animal that does not play a role in the ongoing transmission of the pandemic strain.
Released summer, 2009 by Secty. Vilsack
Statement By Commissioner Leonard Blackham Regarding Human Cases of H1N1 Flu.
I want to reassure the public that there is no evidence at this time that any swine herds 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 and poultry in Utah.
According to scientists at USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the H1N1 Flu virus is not transmitted by food so you cannot contract the H1N1 Flu by 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.
Information for Utah pork producers including ways to increase biosecurity
Daily stitution report for H1N1 Flu in Utah provided by the Utah Department of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
World Health Organization (WHO)
U.S.D.A.- Frequently asked questions about H1N1 Flu is available here.
Statement to Utah veterinarians
From State Veterinarian, Dr. Bruce King
Utah Practitioners,
While no cases of H1N1 Flu have been documented in Utah, the time has come to be more vigilant in regards to this disease in reference to swine and poultry as well as humans. We talk about biosecurity all the time. The time has come to practice what we preach. We need to make sure we are following good hygiene and encouraging our clients to do the same.
I would ask you as practitioners to look for areas were we have the human/animal interface. Especially in reference to swine and poultry. Are you seeing flu like symptoms in swine or poultry and are the people who have contact with those animals exhibiting the same signs or visa versa? Flu is a common disease of swine. Pigs most commonly get infected with flu viruses from other pigs (swine flu), but also can get infected with flu viruses from birds (avian flu), and from people (human flu). This cross-species spread of flu viruses can lead to new types of flu viruses.
If you have any indications of increased flu symptoms in swine or poultry, please consider further diagnostic testing. And please be careful if you get around animals that are showing flu like symptoms. If you have any questions of what you should take in reference to samples please contact the diagnostic laboratory for guidance.
Bruce L. King, DVM
State Veterinarian
Posted April 28, 2009