No swine illnesses in Wyoming or US
Swine flu update
by Wyoming Livestock Board
May 4, 2009
The Wyoming Livestock Board would like to announce there have been no reports of illness in swine in Wyoming or the United States relating to the recent influenza outbreaks. Dr. Walter Cook, Wyoming State Veterinarian has spoken with the large swine operations in the state. These operations are practicing excellent biosecurity and early detection of disease is a priority. All pork producers including: club pork producers, 4 H and FFA should be practicing strict biosecurity measures as well.
Producers, it is very important to have a veterinarian inspect any sick pigs. Veterinarians are required to report any swine influenza or influenza-like cases to the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
Here are some helpful hints for producers for biosecurity:
- 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.
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 to 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 fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Detailed information and updates on the flu outbreak may be obtained at:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
Texas Department of State Health Services: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/ (click on Swine Flu)
Texas Animal Health Commission: http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/
Wyoming Livestock Board: http://wlsb.state.wy.us
For more information contact:
Dr. Walter Cook, State Veterinarian at 307-777-6443
Wyoming Livestock Board
1934 Wyott Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82002
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