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).

• Humans cannot be infected with the virus by eating pork or turkey products.

• Our department is redoubling its efforts to monitor populations of swine and poultry 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 and the reference is contributing to severe economic losses in the pork industry.

UTAH COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, LEONARD BLACKHAM SUPPORTS USDA STATEMENT REGARDING ANIMAL HEALTH AND 2009 PANDEMIC H1N1 INFLUENZA

USDA CONFIRMS 2009 PANDEMIC H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS PRESENT IN MINNESOTA FAIR PIG SAMPLE

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack: "U.S. Pork Is Safe to Eat"

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) has confirmed the presence of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in a pig sample collected at the Minnesota State Fair submitted by the University of Minnesota. Additional samples are being tested.

"We have fully engaged our trading partners to remind them that several international organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health, have advised that there is no scientific basis to restrict trade in pork and pork products," said Vilsack. "People cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products. Pork is safe to eat."

Sequence results on the hemagglutinin, neuraminidase and matrix genes from the virus isolate are compatible with reported 2009 pandemic H1N1 sequences. The samples collected at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair were part of a University of Iowa and University of Minnesota cooperative agreement research project funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which documents influenza viruses where humans and pigs interact at such as fairs.

The infection of the fair pig does not suggest infection of commercial herds because show pigs and commercially raised pigs are in separate segments of the swine industry that do not typically interchange personnel or animal stock. USDA continues to remind U.S. swine producers about the need for good hygiene, biosecurity and other practices that will prevent the introduction and spread of influenza viruses in their herd and encourage them to participate in USDA's swine influenza virus surveillance program.

More information about USDA's 2009 pandemic H1N1 efforts is available at www.usda.gov/H1N1flu.

Released: Oct. 2009

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
CDC H1N1 Flu brochure
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