Swine Influenza Should Have No Impact on Food Safety, Pork Exports
Swine Influenza Should Have No Impact on Food Safety, Pork Exports
News reports regarding a swine influenza outbreak in Mexico and the southwestern United States are gaining traction throughout the world and raising questions about any potential impact on trade or food safety. At this time, however, there have been no reports of an infected swine herd in the U.S., nor is there any actual connection between the virus and pork production, processing or consumption.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified six cases in Southern California and two in Texas in which people have been diagnosed with a form of influenza virus known as swine influenza virus subtype H1N1. News sources have cited a much more serious situation in Mexico, where as many as 60 deaths have been reported and school closures are among the precautions being taken to prevent further spread of the virus.
Preliminary investigations indicate that none of the U.S. cases resulted from any contact with hogs or from handling or consumption of pork, and there is no evidence at this time that this subtype is present in any pigs in the United States. In fact, the swine influenza subtype isolated from these cases is unique and not previously recognized in either pigs or people.
According to CDC, “This virus is different, very different from that found in pigs.”
There is no known connection between pork meat and the swine flu virus. As with any fresh meat product, consumers are encouraged to properly handle and cook pork and follow normal food safety practices.
Swine influenza is not a reportable disease, and therefore should not cause any obstacles for exports of U.S. pork. Concerns have surfaced, however, about a possible impact on live hog trade. USMEF will closely monitor the situation for any actions being considered by trading partners or any other developments that could affect international trade.
“Right now there is no evidence and no facts that would cause this situation to escalate into a food safety or trade issue with regard to pork,” said Paul Clayton, USMEF senior vice president for export services. “But obviously the potential is high for misinformation to spread and for misperceptions to develop. So this is a situation we will be watching very carefully.”
Members who have further questions or concerns about the swine influenza situation may contact USMEF at 303-623-6328.
Swine Influenza Should Have No Impact on Food Safety, Pork Exports
News reports regarding a swine influenza outbreak in Mexico and the southwestern United States are gaining traction throughout the world and raising questions about any potential impact on trade or food safety. At this time, however, there have been no reports of an infected swine herd in the U.S., nor is there any actual connection between the virus and pork production, processing or consumption.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified six cases in Southern California and two in Texas in which people have been diagnosed with a form of influenza virus known as swine influenza virus subtype H1N1. News sources have cited a much more serious situation in Mexico, where as many as 60 deaths have been reported and school closures are among the precautions being taken to prevent further spread of the virus.
Preliminary investigations indicate that none of the U.S. cases resulted from any contact with hogs or from handling or consumption of pork, and there is no evidence at this time that this subtype is present in any pigs in the United States. In fact, the swine influenza subtype isolated from these cases is unique and not previously recognized in either pigs or people.
According to CDC, “This virus is different, very different from that found in pigs.”
There is no known connection between pork meat and the swine flu virus. As with any fresh meat product, consumers are encouraged to properly handle and cook pork and follow normal food safety practices.
Swine influenza is not a reportable disease, and therefore should not cause any obstacles for exports of U.S. pork. Concerns have surfaced, however, about a possible impact on live hog trade. USMEF will closely monitor the situation for any actions being considered by trading partners or any other developments that could affect international trade.
“Right now there is no evidence and no facts that would cause this situation to escalate into a food safety or trade issue with regard to pork,” said Paul Clayton, USMEF senior vice president for export services. “But obviously the potential is high for misinformation to spread and for misperceptions to develop. So this is a situation we will be watching very carefully.”
Members who have further questions or concerns about the swine influenza situation may contact USMEF at 303-623-6328.