By MEGGIE. I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a slew of media reports from nearly every angle, the National Pork Producers Council hope to assure consumers that U.S. pork is safe to eat and contact with American hogs will in no way make one at risk for what has been referred to as “swine flu.”
“Pork is safe to eat, and direct contact with swine is not the source of, and U.S. pigs have not been infected with, the hybrid influenza that has been identified in a number of people in the United States and more than 1,300 in Mexico.
In fact, according to the World Animal Health body (WAH), the flu virus spreading around the world should not even be called “swine flu” as it also contains avian and human components and no hogs have been found ill with the disease thus far. WAH stated on Monday that a more accurate name for the flu strain would be “North-American influenza,” a name based on its geographic origin just like the Spanish influenza, another human flu pandemic with animal origin.
“The virus has not been isolated in animals to date. Therefore, it is not justified to name this disease swine influenza,” the Paris-based organization said in a statement.
The global flu virus began to hit the airwaves after 149 people in Mexico werefound to be infected with the influenza strain.
Additionally, new infections were found in the United States and Canada, and possible cases as far afield as Europe, Israel and New Zealand.
“NPPC wants to assure domestic and global consumers about the safety of pork and urges pork producers to tighten their existing biosecurity protocols to protect their pigs from this virus, including restricting public access to barns,” commented the NPPC.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): People cannot get the hybrid influenza from eating pork or pork products. Most influenza viruses, including the swine flu virus, are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
There are no food safety issues related to the hybrid flu that has been identified, according to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. Preliminary investigations have determined that none of the people infected with the hybrid flu had contact with hogs.
“This virus is different, very different from that found in pigs,” she added.
The hybrid virus never has been identified in hogs in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world. All reports have indicated that the hybrid virus is contagious and is spreading by human-to-human transmission only.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack released a statement to the press on Monday, adding that, “I want to reiterate the same message to our trading partners - our pork and pork products are safe. The discovery of this virus in humans is not a basis for restricting imports of commercially produced U.S. pork and pork products. Any trade restrictions would be inconsistent with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines. USDA is working closely with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office on these issues.
“And third, I am reminding the pork industry as well as owners of pigs about being consistent and thorough in their practices to prevent the introduction or spread of disease.”
Additionally, Vilsack explained that the USDA has been in contact with agriculture officials in nearly every state to “affirm that they have no signs of this virus type in their state’s swine herd. As of this (Monday) morning, no cases have been reported.”
More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine |
