Indiana: Indiana Reporting 138 H3N2v Cases Across 23 Counties

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http://afludiary.blogspot.com/

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/31322143/detail.html

Fair's Swine Barn Closed Amid Flu Concerns
Officials: Some Pigs Show Flu-Like Symptoms

POSTED: 7:27 pm EDT July 31, 2012
UPDATED: 9:13 pm EDT July 31, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The swine barn at the Monroe County Fair in Bloomington closed Tuesday due to threats of swine flu, officials said.

?The Monroe County Fair Board and the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service of Monroe County are aware of a potential swine health issue," a Monroe County Fair official said. "We have been in contact with? the Monroe County Health Department and? the Indiana State Veterinary Board of Animal Health.?

A spokesperson for the State Board of Animal Health confirmed that the barn closed Tuesday and will not reopen during the remaining days of the fair.


The state said it is too early to say whether the pigs have swine flu, but some animals are showing flu-like symptoms.

The State Board of Animal Health and a Monroe County Fair veterinarian have been screening all the pigs in the Monroe County Fair swine barn.

Results of the tests will not be available for a few days.

Several people who were in contact with the pigs at the fair have had flu-like symptoms and have also been tested for influenza A virus, the Monroe County Health Department said in a news release.

When infected pigs and humans are in close proximity or direct contact, influenza can be transmitted, health officials said. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by eating pork and pork products.

In addition, the state is taking extra measures to make sure pigs coming to the State Fair are not ill.

The Indiana State Department of Health said people should wash their hands with soap and water before and after petting or touching any animal.

Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should take extra precautions around animals.

Swine owners are encouraged to contact a veterinarian if their animals show any signs of influenza, including coughing, respiratory illness, off-feed and fever.

Health department officials said 17 human cases of variant influenza A virus have been identified nationwide since 2011, six of which were in Indiana.

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Re: Monroe County: Fair's Swine Barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/south_central/swine-illness-causes-concern-in-monroe-county

Swine illness causes concern in Monroe County
Updated: Tuesday, 31 Jul 2012, 10:18 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 31 Jul 2012, 6:34 PM EDT

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) - There may be a cause for concern to humans after several pigs at the Monroe County fair have come down with a mysterious illness. Other fair officials around Indiana have been alerted about the illness. That includes organizers at the Indiana state fair which starts in three days.

State health officials say until they figure out how the pigs got sick, they are keeping the general population of visitors at the Monroe County Fair from entering the swine barn.

"I think it started (Monday) night with the information coming in," said Monroe county fair board public information director David Smith. Smith said they don't want to call the illness swine flu, but they don't really know what's causing the illness. "Basically we are dealing with some hogs that are getting sick to be honest and those that are getting sick we are sending home," he said.

Because officials don't know what the illness is, they are taking precautions.

"We are trying to take an abundance of precaution. We are managing the access to our barns, encouraging folks to make sure they wash their hands before they eat," said Amy Thompson with the Purdue Extension.

Signs are even posted outside the swine barn warning visitors to stay away. The only people allowed inside are swine club members and their families.

"We are not sure exactly what's going on right now," said Kelli Lentz of Monroe County.
Lentz owns two pigs in the barn. She said she was told last night to keep a close eye on her hogs. "My pigs have been acting fine; I haven't noticed any kind of difference. They are eating and drinking," Lentz said.

Lentz said she's not too concerned about the illness or getting sick. "I would think if it was more, something we really needed to be concerned about, they would be keeping us away from them. That doesn't seem to be going on right now," she said.

Fair board officials said they will be monitoring the health of the remaining pigs in the barn. They said if they come down with a temperature of illness they will be sent home. At the Indiana state fair, officials are urging caution and going through various procedures to ensure safety.

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Re: Monroe County: Fair's Swine Barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness

Uh oh. We might have a problem:

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-swine-flu-being-found-in-pigs-at-monroe-co-fair-20120731,0,3288157.column

Monroe County fair officials broke the news to 4-Hers and their families Tuesday, July 31st. Vets have been checking the health of every pig at this year's fair. Some pigs are being sent home after showing signs of the Swine Flu.

The threat of Swine Flu has spread to this year's Monroe County Fair.

"Some children have become ill after visiting the fair." said Amy Thompson with Purdue Extension. "But at this point, those illnesses can not be tied to the hog issue."

Hundreds of people once again packed the midway. As a precaution, there was one place the public could not be, up close with the pigs in the swine barn.

"Some hogs are leaving now, we are screening hogs, checking their temperatures to see if they are in line with the protocols that the Indiana Board of Animal Health has given us as guidance," said Thompson.

There were four confirmed cases of Swine Flu at this year's La Porte County Fair. There have been unconfirmed cases in: Hendricks, Jackson and now Monroe Counties.

[Treyfish]

Re: Monroe County: Fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness - H3N2v suspected - suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

Flu Outbreak Concerns Arise At The Monroe County Fair

By Sara Wittmeyer

Posted July 31, 2012


The swine barn is closed after a number of pigs started showing flu symptoms. Several people who came into contact with the pigs are also being tested

Health officials say they are waiting on test results after a number of pigs began showing symptoms of influenza A. People who came into contact with the pigs at the fair and were showing symptoms are also being tested. In the meantime, the Monroe County Fair swine barn has been closed.
The State Board of Health and the Monroe County Fair veterinarian were called in to assist with the screenings. According to the Monroe County Health Department, those results are not expected for several days.
Influenza A usually does not affect humans, but it is common among pigs. According to health officials, it can be transmitted from pigs to humans if they are in close proximity to each other. It cannot, however, be spread to humans through the consumption of pork.
Symptoms are similar to regular seasonal flu ? fever, nausea, loss of appetite. The Health Department is encouraging everyone to take precautions including washing hands and not eating around animals.
The Monroe County Fair began July 28. The Health Department says anyone who?s had direct contact with the swine and is experience flu-like symptoms should contact their doctor.http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/f...ty-fair-33675/

[Treyfish]

Re: Monroe County: Fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness - H3N2v suspected - suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

Flu-like illness closes swine barn at Monroe County Fair

H-T Report
August 1, 2012

Several hogs have become ill during the Monroe County Fair, prompting officials to close the swine barn to the public.
?We are dealing with hogs that are getting sick,? said David Smith, the fair?s public information director. He said the cause of the illness is not known at this time, so swine flu precautions are being taken while tests are being run.The swine barn was closed Tuesday and will not reopen during the fair. Exhibitors are still being allowed in and out of the barn to care for their animals. Hand washing and other sanitation efforts are being advised for anyone coming in contact with the animals.http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/sto...qp-7181440.sto

[Laidback Al]

Re: Monroe County: Fair's Swine Barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness

. . .
There were four confirmed cases of Swine Flu at this year's La Porte County Fair. There have been unconfirmed cases in: Hendricks, Jackson and now Monroe Counties.

Map of outbreak -

Four cases in the northern part of the state at La Porte County Fair, circled in green. The three counties with suspected cases circled in orange.

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Re: Monroe County: Fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness - H3N2v suspected - suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

It is unclear what the links between the counties are. Were ill swine transported from one fair to another? Is an H3N2v epizootic occurring across Indiana? Or is this the result of sustained transmission in both humans and swine?

At this point it could be any of those explanations.

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Re: Monroe County: Fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness - H3N2v suspected - suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

There is audio at the link as well:

http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?ID=1748855

The swine barn at the Monroe County Fair has been closed due to a possible flu outbreak.

A statement from the Monroe County Health Department says several pigs in the swine barn have shown symptoms of influenza A. Several humans who were in contact with the pigs have also shown flu symptoms. Both the pigs and humans have been tested for the virus but the results aren't expect for several days. All of the animals in the barn are being sent home to prevent the spreading of any possible disease.

Denise Derrer with the State Board of Animal Health says they have seen an increase in animals at county fairs that appear to be sick, though nothing has been confirmed. She says the Board of Animal Health will be taking extra precautions at the Indiana State Fair, which begins Friday, to make sure any animals that appear to be ill are not allowed into the fair.

Derrer says all pigs coming to the State Fair will have their temperature taken upon arrival. Any pigs with a temperature above 105 degrees will be sent home immediately. Derrer says the pigs will also be checked regularly throughout the fair.

Derrer adds that consumers should not be worried about eating pork products as both state and federal inspection agencies make sure that all pork products are safe to eat.

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Re: Monroe County: Fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness - H3N2v suspected - suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

I can't see the rest of the article because it is behind a paywall:

http://www.reporter-times.com/stories/2012/08/01/news.829595.sto

No flu at Morgan County fair
Brian Culp
bculp@reporter-times.com
August 1, 2012
MARTINSVILLE Several hogs have become ill during the Monroe County Fair, prompting officials to close the swine barn to the public. Morgan County Fair officials say there have been ...

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Re: Monroe County: Fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness - H3N2v suspected - suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/state-fair-takes-precautions-pigs-show-signs-flu-33701/

State Fair Takes Precautions After Pigs Show Flu Symptoms

The State Fair is taking extra precautions after concerns about illness among pigs cropped up at several fairs across the state.

The Monroe County Fair shut down its swine barn Tuesday after concerns about a potential flu outbreak among the animals and some people.

State Board of Animal Health spokesperson Denise Derrer says it is not just Monroe County that has prompted action at the State Fair.

?We?ve actually been hearing that there are more pigs coming down with illness following fairs and then they get home, they?re coming home sick,? he says.

State Veterinarian Bret Marsh says all pigs coming onto the state Fairgrounds this year will have their temperature taken to establish a baseline. Any swine with temperatures over 105 degrees will be turned away. And while some people around the state have also shown symptoms of illness, Marsh says it does not appear to be affecting visitors to any fairs.

?Human cases with this particular virus have been in people that have had direct contact with pigs,? he says. ?So it?s exhibitors or families that are exhibiting pigs at the fairs.?

Marsh says pigs will be regularly monitored throughout the State Fair to ensure the health and safety of the animals and their handlers.

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Re: Indiana - Monroe County: Fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with unidentified flu-like illness - H3N2v suspected - suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

At least one confirmed case in Jackson County:

http://www.necn.com/08/01/12/State-Fair-to-closely-monitor-hogs-for-i/landing_health.html?&apID=e4cd3771402942dc8f8eb77fd5644fd3

Ind. fair to check for sick hogs amid illnesses
Aug 1, 2012 7:17am Email Print Facebook INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana State Department of Health has identified a fifth human flu case linked to hogs.

The health department said Wednesday the fifth case of variant influenza A was found in southern Indiana's Jackson County after four earlier cases were linked to the LaPorte County Fair in northwestern Indiana. The flu strain can be directly transmitted between swine and people, and human infections are most likely to occur in people who are near live infected pigs.

The health department says laboratory tests are pending on possibly more cases. Similar illnesses have occurred in Ohio, and federal health officials are investigating.

Indiana State Animal Health Board spokeswoman Denise Derrer says the Indiana State Fair will immediately turn away any hogs with temperatures above 105 degrees. The fair begins Friday in Indianapolis.

[Giuseppe]

Re: Indiana: Monroe County fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with suspected H3N2v - at least one confirmed human H3N2v infection in Jackson County, suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

[Source: US State of Indiana, Department of Public Health, full page: (LINK). Edited.]

Health Officials Continue to Investigate Flu Illness


Start Date: 8/2/2012 Start Time: 12:00 AM / End Date: 8/2/2012 End Time: 11:59 PM



Entry Description

INDIANAPOLIS?The Indiana State Department of Health has identified a case of variant influenza A in Jackson County, bringing the total to five cases statewide. All cases have been linked to swine. Laboratory testing is pending on potential additional cases.

The State Health Department has detected increased influenza activity in different areas of the state.

Flu symptoms usually include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms usually last about 2 to 5 days.

Variant Influenza A virus can be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine. Human infections are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to live infected pigs, such as working with them in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by eating pork and pork products.

While influenza is not an uncommon diagnosis in pigs, the State Board of Animal Health encourages swine owners to contact a veterinarian if their animals show signs consistent with flu, including coughing, respiratory illness, off-feed and fever. Most county fairs have a private veterinary practitioner on call for on-site assistance.

Hoosiers are encouraged to wash hands with soap and water before and after petting or touching any animal. Never eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth when visiting animal areas. Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals.

The best way to prevent spread of influenza is to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. If possible, avoid contact with those who are ill. Stay home if you develop influenza symptoms and contact your health care provider.

Additional information regarding influenza can be found at the Indiana State Department of Health website at www.in.gov/isdh/25462.htm.


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Contact Information:
Name: Amy Reel
Phone: 317.233.7315
Email: areel@isdh.in.gov

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Re: Indiana: Monroe County fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with suspected H3N2v - at least one confirmed human H3N2v infection in Jackson County, suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

I assume this is H3N2v in this article. The 2009 H1N1 virus would not be news here, and while it could be referring to some other H1N1 swine virus, that seems unlikely given the events of the past week.

http://www.whas11.com/news/local/Ind-fair-officials-are-taking-precautions-when-it-comes-to-pigs-concerning-swine-flu-164805886.html

Pigs quarantined at fair after swine flu suspicions

WHAS11.com
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 11:50 PM

Updated yesterday at 12:01 AM

SALEM, Ind. (WHAS11) -- Swine flu in pigs has been confirmed in two counties in southwest Ohio and northern Indiana and health officials are investigating reports of sick pigs in four other counties, including Washington and Jackson.

Officials say up to 41 people, nearly all of them children; have become sick with symptoms like those of a swine flu strain.

Around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, fair officials at the Washington County Fair noticed something wrong with the pigs. They were lying around, not eating, and they had high temperatures. A vet was called in and samples from the pigs were sent off to a lab at Purdue. But, with reports of swine flu cropping up at other county fairs, the decision was made to quarantine the pigs until the tests came back.

One man in Washington County says his son became ill after being near the pigs at the fair. He claims they were told Thursday that he had the H1N1 virus and given medication. But, doctors WHAS talked to said only a test performed at the lab at the state health department can confirm the presence of H1N1 and it can take up to 72 hours to get results.

Still, doctors at St. Vincent Salem Hospital in Salem admit they've had several people come in with flu-like symptoms. They're swabbing patients and testing them for Influenza A, the regular flu virus, and sending another sample off to the lab. If a patient tests positive for Influenza A, they're being treated with Tamiflu, the same medicine used to treat the swine flu, just in case.

[snip]

[Giuseppe]

Re: Indiana: Monroe County fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with suspected H3N2v - at least one confirmed human H3N2v infection in Jackson County, suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

[Source: Government of the State of Indiana, full page: (LINK). Edited.]

State Health Department to Open Call Center for Influenza Questions


Start Date: 8/3/2012 Start Time: 12:00 AM - End Date: 8/3/2012 End Time: 11:59 PM



INDIANAPOLIS?A call center will open this afternoon from 1-4 p.m. to answer questions regarding influenza infection, the Indiana State Department of Health announced today. Beginning next week, the call center will be open from 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. The call center telephone number is (877) 826-0011.

Five confirmed cases of variant influenza A have been identified in Indiana since mid-July. Laboratory testing is pending on potential additional cases. To date, all cases have had contact with swine. The State Health Department continues to monitor influenza activity statewide.

To avoid influenza and other respiratory infections, Hoosiers are reminded to follow these simple practices:

• Wash your hands frequently, including before and after touching animals.
• Never eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth when visiting animal areas.
• Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow.
• If possible, avoid contact with those who are ill.
• Stay home if you develop influenza symptoms and contact your health care provider.

Additional information regarding influenza can be found at the Indiana State Department of Health website at www.in.gov/isdh/25462.htm.



Contact Information:
Name: Ken Severson
Phone: 317.233.7104
Email: kseverson@isdh.in.gov

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Indiana: Monroe County fair's swine barn closed after pigs, humans sickened with suspected H3N2v - at least one confirmed human H3N2v infection in Jackson County, suspect cases in both humans and swine reported in other counties

[Source: Government of the US State of Indiana, full page: (LINK). Edited.]

Health Officials Confirm 11 Cases of Flu Illness Statewide


Start Date: 8/3/2012 Start Time: 12:00 AM - End Date: 8/3/2012 End Time: 11:59 PM



Entry Description


INDIANAPOLIS? Health officials have confirmed six additional cases of variant influenza A, bringing the total case number to 11 statewide. All cases have been linked to swine. The Indiana State Department of Health and local health departments continue to investigate potential new cases.

The additional cases were identified in Tipton, Jennings and LaPorte counties. Jackson County has also experienced four cases.

?We haven?t seen any transmission from person to person at this point,? said State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin, M.D. ?All of the confirmed cases have had direct contact with swine. As Hoosiers visit fairs around the state this summer, they should take extra care to practice thorough hand washing and avoid eating when around animals.?

Flu symptoms usually include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms usually last about two to five days.

Variant Influenza A virus can be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine. Human infections are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to live infected pigs, such as working with them in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by eating pork and pork products.

While influenza is not an uncommon diagnosis in pigs, the State Board of Animal Health encourages swine owners to contact a veterinarian if their animals show signs consistent with flu, including coughing, respiratory illness, off-feed and fever. Most county fairs have a private veterinary practitioner on call for on-site assistance.

Hoosiers are encouraged to wash hands with soap and water before and after petting or touching any animal. Never eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth when visiting animal areas. Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals.

The best way to prevent spread of influenza is to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. If possible, avoid contact with those who are ill. Stay home if you develop influenza symptoms and contact your health care provider.

Additional information regarding influenza can be found at the Indiana State Department of Health website at www.in.gov/isdh/25462.htm.


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Contact Information:
Name: Ken Severson
Phone: 317.233.7104
Email: kseverson@isdh.in.gov

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