News

OIE says call it "North-American Flu", not "swine" flu

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) says “swine flu” is an inaccurate name for the virus that has sickened nearly 2,000 people in Mexico and 40 people inthe United States. The OIE says it is more accurate to call it the “North American Flu”, identifying it geographically, because the new virus has characteristics of swine, avian and human virus components and has NOT been identified in any animals thus far.

The OIEcalls for immediate scientific research to determine how susceptible animals would be to the new virus and if any additional biosecurity measures should take place, including possible vaccination of any susceptible animals. The OIE says any positive research findings should ONLY lead to tradeprotection measures of pigs in the areas of countries where human cases have been confirmed.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (FAO) is working to determine if the H1N1 flu virus has any connection to pigs. So far, none has been found.

Mexican health officials report 149 people have died from this new influenza strain, transmitted from human to human.