Joint OIE/WHO/FAO Report Addresses Questions Surrounding H1N1, Swine Herds

Joint OIE/WHO/FAO Report Addresses Questions Surrounding H1N1, Swine Herds

Earlier this year, a scientific consultation was held between the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to address the potential for transmission of the H1N1 influenza virus between humans and pigs. A meeting report is now available that summarizes the findings from the consultation, which include:

• The risk of being infected through the consumption of pork or pork products is considered negligible. Influenza viruses are generally restricted to the respiratory tract of pigs and are not detected in muscle meat, even during acute illness.
• Humans can become infected through close contact with ill pigs infected with influenza virus and showing influenza-like symptoms, but such occurrences are rarely documented through current surveillance systems.
• The risk of humans becoming infected from contamination reaching the environment, such as through manure, is minimal.
• People ill with influenza have reportedly infected pigs with influenza viruses, but these events are not well-documented. Those working with pigs should follow the same advice as the general public and stay home if they have flu-like symptoms.

The joint report is one of the resources available to pork-exporting countries as they work together to reinforce the importance of basing pork trade policies on sound science.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.

USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.

Joint OIE/WHO/FAO Report Addresses Questions Surrounding H1N1, Swine Herds

Earlier this year, a scientific consultation was held between the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to address the potential for transmission of the H1N1 influenza virus between humans and pigs. A meeting report is now available that summarizes the findings from the consultation, which include:

• The risk of being infected through the consumption of pork or pork products is considered negligible. Influenza viruses are generally restricted to the respiratory tract of pigs and are not detected in muscle meat, even during acute illness.
• Humans can become infected through close contact with ill pigs infected with influenza virus and showing influenza-like symptoms, but such occurrences are rarely documented through current surveillance systems.
• The risk of humans becoming infected from contamination reaching the environment, such as through manure, is minimal.
• People ill with influenza have reportedly infected pigs with influenza viruses, but these events are not well-documented. Those working with pigs should follow the same advice as the general public and stay home if they have flu-like symptoms.

The joint report is one of the resources available to pork-exporting countries as they work together to reinforce the importance of basing pork trade policies on sound science.

# # #

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.

USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.