Facts Still Being Gathered on Influenza-Related Market Closures

Facts Still Being Gathered on Influenza-Related Market Closures

The recent influenza outbreak has generated global attention and an uneven response from international trading partners ranging from no change to a ban on U.S. meat products.

USMEF is closely monitoring the market access situation for U.S. meat exports and working with the pork industry and U.S. officials to provide trading partners with updated safety information and alleviate any consumer concerns about the safety of pork.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified about 40 cases in  California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and New York in which people have been diagnosed with a form of this influenza virus. A much more serious situation exists in Mexico, where more than 100 deaths have been reported and school closures and cancellations of public events are among the precautions being taken to prevent further spread of the virus.

Investigations indicate that none of the U.S. cases resulted from any contact with hogs.  It is also important to note that the CDC has not found any connection between consumption of pork and the swine flu virus. As with any fresh meat product, consumers are simply encouraged to properly handle and cook pork and follow normal food safety practices.

Public health officials have been very diligent in reassuring consumers about the safety of pork, and this appears to have been effective in limiting the spread of any unfounded food safety concerns in the United States. Some overseas market closures have occurred, however, and USMEF continues to monitor and compile this information. We expect to receive official, updated information on these market closures later this morning, and will issue a market access update immediately thereafter. Updates will also be posted to www.usmef.org.

Facts Still Being Gathered on Influenza-Related Market Closures

The recent influenza outbreak has generated global attention and an uneven response from international trading partners ranging from no change to a ban on U.S. meat products.

USMEF is closely monitoring the market access situation for U.S. meat exports and working with the pork industry and U.S. officials to provide trading partners with updated safety information and alleviate any consumer concerns about the safety of pork.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified about 40 cases in  California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and New York in which people have been diagnosed with a form of this influenza virus. A much more serious situation exists in Mexico, where more than 100 deaths have been reported and school closures and cancellations of public events are among the precautions being taken to prevent further spread of the virus.

Investigations indicate that none of the U.S. cases resulted from any contact with hogs.  It is also important to note that the CDC has not found any connection between consumption of pork and the swine flu virus. As with any fresh meat product, consumers are simply encouraged to properly handle and cook pork and follow normal food safety practices.

Public health officials have been very diligent in reassuring consumers about the safety of pork, and this appears to have been effective in limiting the spread of any unfounded food safety concerns in the United States. Some overseas market closures have occurred, however, and USMEF continues to monitor and compile this information. We expect to receive official, updated information on these market closures later this morning, and will issue a market access update immediately thereafter. Updates will also be posted to www.usmef.org.