Articles: Press Release
Information About Swine Flu
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
* People cannot get swine 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.
* No food safety issues have been identified, related to the
flu.
* Preliminary investigations have determined that none of
the people infected with the flu had contact with hogs.
* The virus is spreading by human-to-human
transmission.
The CDC recommends the following measures to prevent the transmission of
flu:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
* Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands frequently and use alcohol-based sanitizers.
* Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu
virus.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
* Try to stay in good general health.
* Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage
your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat
nutritious food.
Detailed information and updates on the flu outbreak may be obtained at:
Texas Department of State Health Services http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/ (then
click on Swine Flu)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
If you own swine, consider the following practices to enhance the
biosecurity on your farm to prevent the disease from being transmitted to
your herd:
* Workers should shower and change into farm-specific clothes and shoes
before entering swine facilities.
* Establish, implement and enforce strict sick leave policies for
workers presenting influenza-like symptoms.
* Recommend that workers with symptoms be seen by a medical
provider immediately.
* Restrict the entry of people into your facility to only
workers and essential service personnel.
* Prevent international visitors from entering your
facilities.
* Ensure adequate ventilation in facilities to
minimize re-circulation of air inside animal housing
facilities.
* Vaccinate pigs against the influenza virus.
Vaccination of pigs can reduce the levels of
virus shed by infected animals
* Contact your swine veterinarian if swine
exhibit flu-like or respiratory illness,
especially if the onset or presentation of
the illness is unusual.
* Notify your Texas Animal Health
Commission area office or the Austin
headquarters at 800-550-8242, after you
have contacted your veterinarian.
The Texas Animal Health Commission is ready to assist with on-farm
investigations, if pigs are present where a known human case has occurred,
and to assist with epidemiological investigations with any human cases that
may have links to swine in Texas.
More information for producers may be obtained at:
National Pork Producers Council http://www.nppc.org/
Texas Pork Producers Association http://www.texaspork.org/ |
