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Pork groups urge producer caution amidhuman swine flu cases

With reports of several people in California, Texas and the country of Mexico identified as infected with swine flu, the NationalPork Producers Council and National Pork Board on Friday urged pork producers to enhance their biosecurity plans, taking all necessary steps to prevent their pigs from contracting swine influenza. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the flu strain identified as H1N1 has notbeen seen in people or pigs before. The CDC says the flu strain is NOT from the U.S. swine herd, has been transmitted from person to person and that U.S. pork is SAFE to eat.

The organizations recommend producers work with their herd veterinarian to reduce transmission ofswine flu viruses by vaccinating their pigs, giving seasonal flu vaccines to swine farm workers, properly ventilate barns and establish other guidelines to prevent an outbreak.

U.S. Ag Secretary Vilsack issued a statement Sunday saying, "USDA has in place, and didso before the last week's events, a surveillance system to monitor animal health.  As an additional precautionary measure, I have asked USDA to reach out to agriculture officials in every state to affirm that they have no signs of this virus type in their state.  USDA will continue towork with other government agencies to monitor the situation and keep the public informed."

For more details from the Pork Board (“Influenza: Pigs, People and Public Health.”), the CDC, and Secretary Vilsack, click on the links below.