Two relevant e-mails:
Dear Volunteer,
***This is an informational update only. This email is NOT a call for activation or response.***
As most of you are aware, the Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana area is currently addressing the swine influenza outbreak. As we watch this emerging incident, we would like the TMRC to do the following:
1. Assemble a preparedness kit for your family. If the TMRC is called out, volunteers are more likely to be able to help the response if their loved ones are prepared at home.
www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/checklist.pdf
2. Practice proper hygiene and encourage others to do the same. Cover your mouth with your arm or tissue when sneezing or coughing, and throw any tissues away after use. Wash your hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. If you feel ill, stay at home to avoid making others sick.
www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_003
3. Stay informed. Read the CDC Swine Flu information available at
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ and watch your email for further updates.
Swine Influenza Virus in humans
Key Points for Veterinarians
• SIV is a zoonotic disease and appropriate precautions (including hand-washing, mask and gloves during necropsies, personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators and goggles, etc.) should be implemented to minimize the risk of infection and disease transmission.
• Increased awareness of suspicious cases involving pigs exhibiting influenza-like signs and particularly those pigs which have been previously vaccinated against SIV (although it is likely that commercially-available SIV vaccines will be effective against this strain since it contains the common HA genes).
• Submit diagnostic samples (lung tissues and nasal swabs) from acutely-ill, febrile pigs to the veterinary diagnostic lab if you suspect influenza.
• Work with producers to increase their awareness and ensure appropriate biosecurity safeguards are in place to prevent the introduction of this virus into the U.S. swine herd.
o Prohibit unnecessary visitors
o Employees with flu-like symptoms or symptomatic family members should not be allowed to contact pigs and should be encouraged to visit their family physicians
o Additional recommendations are available from the National Pork Board and are published on the AASV homepage (
www.aasv.org).
• Information about the virus strain identified in the U.S. and Mexican cases:
o The virus is an H1N1
o A triple reassortant containing genes from two swine viruses, an avian virus and a human virus.
o The HA gene is the common gene seen in pigs today (H1). While not yet confirmed, it is likely that commercially-available SIV vaccines would remain efficacious.
o The NA and Matrix genes are of Eurasian descent and have not been seen in people or pigs in the U.S. previously.
o These viruses are not known to be circulating among swine in the U.S.
o There is no food safety issue – pork is safe to eat.
o 20 human cases have been confirmed by the CDC in the U.S. – none had any direct contact with pigs. Refer to the CDC website (
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm) for the most current official information.
o Mexican authorities are reporting a severe influenza incidence this year with hundreds of illnesses and multiple deaths attributed to a swine influenza virus.
o CDC has tested 14 isolates provided by the Mexican authorities. 7 of these have tested positive for SIV and are very similar to the viruses identified in the U.S. cases.
o The pathogenesis of this virus in pigs is unknown. USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) and National Animal Disease Center (NADC) will be evaluating the current diagnostic tests and conducting challenge studies in pigs to determine the virus’ virulence and clinical presentation in pigs.
o This viral strain appears to be transmitting from person to person.
o At present, the main effort should be to work to prevent the introduction of this virus into the U.S. swine herd.
• Key messages to keep in mind
o This virus is not known to be in U.S. pigs
o Pork is safe to eat.
o The virus is currently transmitting person to person and does not involve pigs for transmission.
If you are asked to comment on the situation and are uncomfortable with how to respond, please feel free to contact the AASV or the National Pork Board.
Bottom line, the morbidity and mortality rate are nowhere near as high as SARS was during its peak period. It's a slow news day...Britney hasn't done anything irrational and Christian Bale is behaving himself. I have heard whispers that this fall/winter expect more serous flu cases - the mutation of this thing is a bitch and makes me think getting an appropriate vaccine will be challenging if not impossible.
