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National & World Ag News Headlines |
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Ohio, Michigan Report H3N2v Infections Linked to Pigs at Fairs
USAgNet - 08/23/2016
Four human infections with influenza viruses that normally circulate in swine (swine influenza) were reported by CDC last week. When swine influenza viruses are detected in people they are called 'variant' viruses and are designated with a letter v at the end of
the virus subtype. The four human infections were caused by H3N2v viruses in Ohio and Michigan. All four patients reported attending fairs where they had exposure to pigs during the week preceding illness onset. Pigs at the fairs have reportedly tested positive
for swine influenza A (H3N2) infection. The Ohio patients are not related other than both of them reporting having attended the same fair in Ohio. Similarly the Michigan cases both attended the same fair in Michigan, but are otherwise unrelated to each other.
CDC is working with state public health officials to support their human health responses and has recommendations for the public on what steps they can take to help protect against H3N2v and other swine influenza viruses, according to Outbreak news Today.
Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that cause outbreaks in pigs. Signs of swine flu in pigs can include fever, coughing (barking), sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and not eating. Some pigs
infected with influenza, however, may show no signs of illness at all.
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect people; however, sporadic human infections with these viruses have occurred. Human infections with H1N1v, H3N2v and H1N2v viruses have been detected in the United States. Spread between pigs and people is
thought to happen mainly when an infected pig (or human) coughs or sneezes and droplets with influenza virus in them spread through the air. If these droplets land in the nose or mouth, or are inhaled, that person (or pig) could be infected. There also is some
evidence that the virus might spread by touching something that has virus on it and then touching the mouth or nose. A third way to possibly get infected is to inhale particles containing influenza virus. Influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people
through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs.
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