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Straight talk about theH1N1 virus

When it comes to dealing with disease outbreaks, few have the experience of Dr. Ron DeHaven. Many remember him as the cool-headed, straight-shootingfront man for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) when the United States experienced its first BSE-positive cow. A few years later he demonstrated the same honest integrity when avian influenza or “bird flu” came flying out of Asia.

Today, DeHaven is Chief Executive Officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association and clearly states the current H1N1 virus is not from pigs. “This disease is transmitted from human to human and, as far as we know right now, it does not involve pigs, livestock orpets.  Dr. DeHaven says we may never know where this hybrid virus originated, “It is in a family of influenza viruses that have thousands of different varieties or versions, this one, the H1 is most commonly associated with pigs and hence the name swine flu.” But, he is quick to pointout, “This particular H1N1 virus has no known origin back to swine.”

He notes that viruses have changed and mutated throughout history, “That is why you have to get a different flu shot every year.” These viruses, the “A Viruses” are known tochange and evolve rapidly.

The fact is, this H1N1 disease has not been found in pigs, anywhere, “That’s either because it is not there or we haven’t found it yet but I would quickly add that if it was there in any significant degree, we would have found it bynow.” DeHaven says there is always the possibility it can move from humans to swine so veterinarians across the country are on the look-out for it and hog owners are asked to increase biosecurity around their animals. He also notes owners of pot-bellied pet pigs should keep an eye on theiranimals. There are no known cases of the disease in the pet pigs but if you do see evidence of abnormal illness or injury, contact your veterinarian. “Here again, cause for heightened awareness but let’s not overreact.”

The biggest challenge to the hog industryright now is convincing consumers they cannot get the disease from eating pork. DeHaven says he is happy to see the Centers for Disease Control and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack both asking that the virus be renamed to H1N1 or something along that line.

Having dealt with BSEand avian influenza, DeHaven says the general public should be concerned but there is no need to panic. “We need to emphasize the need for hand washing, avoiding contact with sick people, encourage people who are not feeling well not to go to work or other public places but let’s notpanic.” He also notes that while there is need for concern, we must remember we have seasonal flu viruses every year, “That on average kill between 20,000 and 30,000 Americans every year.”

So far, the spread of the disease has been tracked to people whovisited Mexico and as a result we will continue to see new cases pop up around the globe. DeHaven says the incubation period for the diseases like this is often longer than the time it takes to move the virus around the world. So people carrying the disease may not know they have it until after theyhave returned home.

One final note, DeHaven stresses the food supply is safe. Currently the virus is not known to exist in livestock but even if it did make its way into animals, “Influenza viruses are quickly killed by normal cooking temperatures. There has neverbeen known a case of avian influenza, swine influenza or others that has been transferred by food borne means.” He adds, “Your pork is as safe to eat today as it was yesterday and the week before and the week before that.”