Pigs Catch Swine Flu From Humans This Time

AUTHORITIES believe up to 2000 pigs with swine flu caught it from a sick farmer and his staff.

NSW Health is testing the farmer from the Dunedoo piggery in the state’s Central West and his workers to confirm the source of the outbreak.

Other pig farmers and the NSW Food Authority moved quickly last night to allay any consumer fears, telling people pork was safe to eat, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Australia’s leading exotic diseases vets descended on the pig farm and quarantined the animals.

Disease experts were last night desperately trying to contain the outbreak after the first tests at a NSW Government laboratory on Thursday were positive for flu.

Samples were flown to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong in Victoria where the worst was confirmed last night.
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“This is the first case of influenza H1N1 in pigs in Australia and at this stage we believe it was likely introduced by people working with the animals,” Mr Macdonald said.

“The owner and staff at the piggery have previously suffered flu-like symptoms and are being tested for H1N1 by NSW Health.

“The piggery has been placed in quarantine and strict biosecurity measures are in place to ensure the virus does not spread.”

The Government confirmed sick animals had not entered into the human food chain and no sick pigs would be slaughtered.

Pig farmer Dougald Walker, who is on the NSW Farmer’s Association Pork Committee, said people should not be afraid.

Fear of swine flu had already driven customers away from pork, with pig prices falling $35 to $50 since the swine flu pandemic was declared, Mr Walker, from Young, said.

Pig farmer Wally Perenc from Wally’s Piggery in Young said his farm of 2000 animals had suffered.

“It started with swine flu, people stopped eating pork, the price dropped 60c a kilogram,” he said.

Scientists were working to determine if the strain the Dunedoo pigs have tested positive to is identical to the swine flu virus.

The National Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease last night met over the outbreak.

Mr Macdonald said pork would not be contaminated and the outbreak posed no danger to humans.

The NSW Food Authority last night said pork, including bacon and ham, was safe to eat.

“People should make sure that they continue to follow the Food Authority’s advice to always wash hands properly with soap and running water and dry thoroughly before and after handling any raw meat, including pork, and to keep utensils like knives and chopping boards clean,” the Food Authority said.

Doggie’s Thoughts: I told yall to lay off that cat, rat & dog!