Influenza pandemic (h1n1) 2009, animal health (06): Canada, Manitoba, swine

[Treyfish]

<TABLE id=apex_layout_271110100662109808 class=formlayout summary=""><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Published Date</TD><TD noWrap align=left>28-AUG-2009</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Subject</TD><TD noWrap align=left>PRO/AH> Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal health (06): Canada, swine</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

A
Date: Mon 24 Aug 2009Source: Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives [edited]<http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/>

Ongoing surveillance for respiratory diseases in Manitoba swine herds has detected the novel pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in several herds, including sow barns, nursery barns, and feeder barns in various locations in the province.The novel virus was first suspected in a sow barn when sows that had been vaccinated against common strains of influenza, began to exhibit influenza-like symptoms. Samples of from the herds in question were tested as positive for the novel H1N1 virus in Manitoba Agriculture's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and confirmed by the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg.

Further surveillance confirmed novel H1N1 diagnoses in several additional barns housing weanling and feeder pigs. Movement of pigs from these locations was immediately limited to prevent transmission of the virus to other swine herds. Biosecurity protocols, including the reminder to staff to wear their personal protective equipment properly, were enhanced to further protect both pigs and the workers in the barns.

In the herds where the virus has been detected the disease was very mild, with pigs showing only slight signs of respiratory illness -- mild cough and nasal discharge, depressed feed intake and rectal temperatures up to 40.5 deg C [104.9 deg F]. No deaths have been reported in these herds. Animals were monitored by the herd veterinarian and recovered uneventfully within 4-7 days after onset of illness. The virus did infect piglets born to infected sows, and the virus subsequently moved through the production channels to nursery, feeder and finisher sites.Manitoba's chief veterinary officer has sent letters to veterinarians to seek their cooperation in detecting and reporting signs of respiratory illness in swine.
Letters have also been sent to pig producers encouraging the maintenance of strict biosecurity measures to safeguard the health of their herds and workers. Maintaining usual biosecurity safeguards will reduce the possibility of spread into the barn, and between barns.

In a recent policy statement, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Council of Chief Veterinary Officers agreed that farms where pigs have been diagnosed with novel H1N1 do not require quarantine or eradication of the pigs. The novel virus does not behave any differently in pigs than other influenza viruses commonly detected in swine herds, and there is no evidence to indicate that animals play a significant role in the spread of the virus in the general human population.-- communicated by:Wayne Lees, DVM MScChief Veterinary OfficerManitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural InitiativesWinnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6Canada<wayne.lees@gov.mb.ca>

[We are grateful to Dr Lees for communicating with us the situation in the Manitoba swine. - Mod.TGThe province of Manitoba can be seen on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Canada at <http://healthmap.org/r/00av>. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]:tiphat:http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,78977

</PRE>

 

[Mamabird]

Re: Influenza pandemic (h1n1) 2009, animal health (06): Canada, swine

Re: Influenza pandemic (h1n1) 2009, animal health (06): Canada, swine

First:

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?
Yes. influenza A(H1N1) has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. The influenza A(H1N1) virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160?F/70?C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meat.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/pork_safety/en/index.html

Second:

We have already dealt with this with H5N1 infected chickens, and WHO?s advice is as follows:

home:

&#56256;&#56510;Don't prepare or eat either sick or dead animals - this is highly dangerous.

&#56256;&#56510;Avoid home slaughtering in outbreak areas.

&#56256;&#56510;Separate raw and cooked meat.

&#56256;&#56510;Ensure that food is cooked to the proper temperature, reaching 70?C in all parts of the food - with either meat juices running clear or eggs without a runny yolk.

&#56256;&#56510;Clean and disinfect all work surfaces, equipment and utensils used for preparing poultry frequently.

&#56256;&#56510;Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water: before and after preparing food, before eating food, and after going to the toilet.

http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/ai_videotext_en.pdf

 

[Tonka]

Re: Swine flu found in Manitoba hogs

Re: Swine flu found in Manitoba hogs

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/09/02/mb-hogs-h1n1-manitoba.html

Swine flu found in Manitoba hogs
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 | 6:39 PM ET Comments10Recommend9CBC News
Several hog herds in Manitoba have contracted swine flu this summer, health officials revealed Wednesday. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)Several hog herds in Manitoba contracted swine flu this summer, health officials revealed Wednesday, the first day of an international conference of government ministers and health experts in Winnipeg on preparations for the further spread of the H1N1 virus.

Tim Pasma, a disease control veterinarian for the province, said the H1N1 influenza A virus now circulating in humans was also detected in some Manitoba swine herds at sow barns, nursery barns and feeder barns in various parts of the province. He won't identify the farms involved.

Hog farmers and health officials first suspected in July that hogs had contracted the H1N1 virus when sows that had been vaccinated against common strains of influenza began to exhibit influenza-like symptoms, according to news release issued by the International Society for Infectious Diseases.

Samples from the herds in question analyzed by Manitoba Agriculture's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tested positive for the H1N1 virus, and that diagnosis was confirmed by the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg.

The findings pose no concern for the public, Pasma said.

"For the hogs, it's a very mild disease," he said. "It's very similar to the signs that you see in humans, so you know ? mild fever, mild coughing. It's been a very mild disease.

"[But] we do see some of the pigs do get sick. We do see some mortality, especially when there are other underlying ? conditions."

Pasma said the province has interventions in place to ensure no sick pigs enter the food chain.

"It's not a food safety concern. Pork ? sick pigs ? are not shipped to market, and there are different points of inspection in the food safety chain to ensure that the public is at no risk of getting the virus."

Public misconception
Canada's chief public health officer added that there is no evidence people will get the H1N1 virus from eating pork.

"If a herd is sick, they're not going to market. And they are tested, and once they're perfectly well, even with influenza, there's no reason not to eat them," said Dr. David Butler-Jones.

The hogs that had the virus recovered within a week, and no deaths were reported. As well, cooking the meat will kill the virus, said Manitoba's chief veterinary officer Dr. Wayne Lees.

But public misconception about the virus has caused hog prices to plummet and about a dozen countries to place trade restrictions on Canadian pork.

Experts expect more herds to become infected if there's a second wave of the pandemic this fall. And hog farmers say their industry ? and their bottom line ? can't take too many more hits like this.

"The damage from H1N1 has been done already. These prices are a direct impact," said Andrew Dickson, general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council.

Lees has sent letters to veterinarians to seek their co-operation in detecting and reporting signs of respiratory illness in swine. Letters have also been sent to hog producers encouraging the maintenance of strict biosecurity measures to safeguard the health of their herds and workers.

Maintaining usual biosecurity safeguards will reduce the possibility of spread into the barn, and between barns, Lees said.