WILMINGTON, Ohio — The situation was blown out of proportion – that was Clinton County Fair Board President Scot Gerber’s comment about the swine flu epidemic at this year’s fair, which ran July 8-15.

 

On July 12, a pig at the fair was running a high fever. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) did diagnostic testing.

The pig tested positive for influenza H3N2, which is fairly common in pigs, said Dr. Tony Forshey, Ohio State Veterinarian. The next day several more pigs came down with the illness.

“We allowed the show to continue,” Forshey said. “It was a partial terminal show, so we made it a terminal show. All the pigs then went to slaughter instead of going back home ... The influenza virus is confined to the respiratory tract. It is not in the meat, which is still safe to eat.”

The media quickly and incorrectly published a lot of false information, Gerber said. One report said all of the animals and the barn would have to be destroyed. That caused a lot of concern.

The paper brought a lot of things out that weren’t very true,” said Forshey. “One of the original stories was, ‘Ohio Fair Barn Destroyed,’ like we burnt the barn down. We’ve been doing a lot of damage control because there is a lot of news out there that isn’t accurate.”

Added Gerber: “I’m sure that false information hurt us in attendance the next two days. I wish the media would be more accurate in what is published. This was no more than a common flu. It was important for the swine industry that we get it controlled. It got blown out of proportion.”

“The 4-H kids had shown showmanship on Wednesday,” Gerber said. “The actual market show started at 8:30 that morning, and it was going on when all of the news broke, and we were trying to figure out how to address it as quickly as possible. We were all centrally located in one building; we were allowed to go ahead and finish our show.”

There was a break in the show. Everyone was notified of the situation and only parents, exhibitors and advisors were allowed for the last part of the show, Gerber

said.

“We were absolutely satisfied with how the (ODA) handled the situation,” he said. “They responded very quickly.”

Local ODA Veterinarian Dr. Robert Carey helped everyone understand the facts, what to do and how to handle it, Gerber said. Most participants were very understanding. There was some financial loss for some exhibitors who were planning on taking animals home, but everyone understood the process, that the fair board was being directed by ODA and following their rules and guidelines, Gerber said.

Emily Bir, a spokesperson for the Ohio Pork Council (OPC), said there were mixed feelings about the situation, and while OPC supports their producers, the organization fully supported ODA’s decision.

“They are the experts,” Bir said. “It was their call to make, but we recognize some of the concerns of our producers, especially those kids and family members involved. 

 

“We want to support them in any way we can. It’s a loss for some of them especially those that were expecting to participate at the Ohio State Fair.”

It is critical for exhibitors to monitor their pigs, watch for any signs of disease, Forshey said. Everyone should use proper sanitation at the fair; washing their hands frequently. Exhibitors should watch their pigs. If there is any sign of anything abnormal, they should contact the fair veterinarian or a barn superintendent and ask them to check it out.