Articles: Press Release
Wild Hogs: No Indication of Flu Danger
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
You may catch the flu from your sick hunting buddy, but theres no evidence
that you will catch it from domestic or wild hogs, according to the Texas
Animal Health Commission (TAHC). There is no evidence that the new strain
of H1N1 influenza is in domestic or wild hogs. This disease is being spread
from person to person.
We are prepared to test hogs, if a human/animal disease link is identified.
To date, there has been no indication that swine are involved, said Dr. Bob
Hillman, Texas state veterinarian and head of the TAHC, the states livestock
and poultry health regulatory agency. We are participating on all calls
with health and emergency officials, are monitoring the situation, and are
consulting with local officials, but so far, there is no indication of
animal-to-human disease spread.
Several hunters have asked about the safety of hunting wild hogs, said
Dr. Hillman. To repeat, there is no evidence that wild hogs are involved in
this flu outbreak. Always, however, we advise wild hog hunters to protect
themselves against potential exposure to swine brucellosis, a totally
different disease that is not related in any way to the flu. We know from
test results that about 10 percent of wild hogs carry swine brucellosis, a
bacterial disease.
When processing or butchering a wild hog, hunters should protect themselves
against the blood and bodily fluids of wild hogs, he said. When the wild
hog meat is cooked, any swine brucellosis bacteria is destroyed by the heat.
Trappers who catch wild hogs and owners of domestic swine also should
practice good biosecurity to prevent spreading the flu to pigs. Dont get
around swine if you become ill, and avoid having visitors near your pigs,
said Dr. Hillman. Have someone else feed the animals if you become ill with
flu-like symptoms. Notify your health department or the TAHC so your pigs
can be monitored for disease. Also, as a basic biosecurity measure, you
should always wash your hands after handling animals.
Dr. Hillman said wild hog trappers and domestic swine owners should call
their veterinarian if their swine develop a sudden onset of respiratory
illness. The nearest TAHC area office or TAHC headquarters also should be
notified so testing can be conducted according to the flu response
protocol. The TAHC headquarters may be reached at 800-550-8242.
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