Swine Flu Information and Resources from the CVMA

We recently received this communication from the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, we thought we would make the information available to you.

Swine Flu Information and Resources

In light of the concerns over the current swine flu outbreak in the United States and Mexico, CVMA has gathered the following information and resources for our members. Additional information will be made available as needed. CVMA thanks Dr. Keith Roehr, state veterinarian, for providing many of the resources referenced here.


From the AVMA
Forty U.S. cases of a unique form of swine flu have been confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the virus apparently spreading via human-to-human contact and not contact with animals. All those affected have been in California and Texas and all have recovered. The H1N1 virus has apparently had much more serious consequences in Mexico, with more than 500 cases reported, leading to more than 20 deaths.

“At this point, it appears to be human-to-human transmission only,” said Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “We’ve been in contact with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and there have been no reports of outbreaks among animals, although their members are certainly aware of what’s happening and are stepping up surveillance for the virus with federal and state animal health officials.”

Officials said that there is little or no risk of catching swine flu from eating pork or pork products, but as always, proper food handling and hand washing should be practiced.

For more information on swine flu, including the latest news and key points for veterinarians, visit the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Web site at http://www.aasv.org/. In addition the CDC has information on the human swine flu investigation at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm.


From the Colorado State Veterinarian

According to Colorado State Veterinarian Keith A. Roehr, DVM, any clinical signs of influenza in swine are required to be reported to the state veterinarian or the AVIC. In the event that signs of illness consistent with swine influenza are reported the Colorado Department of Agriculture will send a foreign animal disease diagnostician to investigate and potentially collect samples for laboratory diagnostics. The clinical signs of influenza in swine are fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Extreme temperature changes and other stressors can affect the susceptibility of pigs to the virus. Influenza season in pigs typically runs from November through April, although influenza viruses can be isolated from pigs year round.


From USDA:APHIS Veterinary Services

From an April 26 message sent by Dr. T.J. Myers, Deputy Director for Science and Technology
National Animal Health Policy and Programs
USDA:APHIS Veterinary Services

Dear State Veterinarians and AVICs:

Due to [the] public health emergency preparedness declaration by DHS, I request that all State Veterinarians and AVICs report any cases of Swine Influenza identified in their state now and in the coming days to their Veterinary Services Regional Office as promptly as possible. Please respond with information on any past or ongoing cases in your states by close of business on Monday, April 27. This should include any cases reported to date that may be associated with human influenza-like illness or the current H1N1 virus reported in people in several states.

On April 23, VS provided information to laboratories with regard to immediate implementation of the Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) pilot project. We are asking laboratories to send to NVSL any SIV isolates that are difficult to subtype with current reagents or known to be associated with human illness. Originally, we had planned to begin with eleven laboratories but are now extending to all laboratories. We will be having a call with the laboratories on Monday to discuss further. Below is further information on the SIV pilot project:

In July 2008, VS began developing a pilot swine influenza virus (SIV) surveillance program in cooperation with the CDC and other stakeholders. The pilot SIV surveillance program's overall objectives are to benefit both animal and human health by rapidly detecting SIV genomic changes; providing SIV diagnostic, epidemiologic, and experimental data for the development of improved diagnostic reagents, vaccines and biosecurity practices for swine; and to collaborate with CDC to identify SIV viruses that may pose a threat to human health and that could be used to develop improved diagnostic reagents, vaccines and other disease control measures.

The SIV cases identified through this pilot will meet any one of the following three criteria: atypical case presentations in swine; untypeable or novel SIV isolates; and suspected concurrent SIV infection in humans and swine, particularly involving public swine exhibitions (e.g. fairs, shows).

The project requires a coordinated effort among Veterinary Services; the States and their diagnostic laboratories; USDA-ARS-NADC; the National Pork Board; the American Association of Swine Veterinarians; the CDC; and other stakeholders.

Dr. T.J. Myers
Deputy Director for Science and Technology
National Animal Health Policy and Programs
USDA:APHIS Veterinary Services

From the National Pork Board

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified cases in Southern California and in Texas where people have been diagnosed with a form of influenza virus known as swine influenza virus subtype H1N1. Preliminary investigations indicate that in all cases there was no contact with swine. The swine influenza subtype isolated from these cases is unique and not previously recognized in either pigs or people. According to the CDC, “This virus is different, very different from that found in pigs.” At this time there is no evidence that this swine influenza subtype is present in pigs in the United States. The CDC’s investigation continues.

The National Pork Board is collaborating with the CDC and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide information on swine influenza. Information on influenza can be found in the fact sheet, “INFLUENZA: Pigs, People and Public Health” available at http://www.pork.org/PorkScience/Documents/PUBLICHEALTH%20influenza.pdf

Background Information on Swine Influenza in Pigs
* The clinical signs/symptoms of influenza in pigs are fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing.
* As external temperatures drop in the fall and winter, influenza persists better in the environment. Extreme temperature changes and other stressors can affect the susceptibility of pigs to the virus.
* Influenza season in pigs typically runs from November through April, although influenza viruses can be isolated from pigs year round.

About interspecies transmission
* It is possible for humans to transmit some influenza viruses to pigs. And it is possible, though not common, for pigs to transmit some influenza viruses to humans.
* Interspecies infections are most likely to occur when people are in extremely close proximity to pigs.
* The cases have been investigated, and it appears that they did not have contact with swine.

Reducing interspecies transmission of influenza viruses
* It is in the best interest of both human public health and animal health that interspecies transmission of influenza viruses from people to pigs and pigs to people be minimized.

Pork producers should work with their herd veterinarian to reduce transmission of influenza viruses:
* Influenza virus vaccination of pigs
* Influenza virus vaccination of swine farm workers
* Implement worker sick-leave policies that encourage employees to remain away from work when they are suffering from acute respiratory infections. People typically shed influenza viruses for approximately 3-7 days, with the period of peak shedding correlated with the time of most severe clinical illness.
* Maintain appropriate ventilation in the barns
* Enforce basic hygiene and biosecurity practices
* Prevent pig to bird contact. Bird-proof buildings and treat water if it supplied from an open body of water where birds and migratory fowl may be found. Separate pig and bird production to prevent any potential cross-contamination of the animals with influenza virus. Protect feed from feces of birds and migratory fowl.

For more information, visit http://www.pork.org/default.aspx


From the CDC

Public health officials within the United States and throughout the world are investigating outbreaks of swine influenza (swine flu). Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur. Public health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause illness.

The outbreak is ongoing and additional cases are expected. For more information concerning swine flu infection, please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. For specific information on travel precautions and an update on the affected areas, please click here.

To prevent the spread of swine flu:
* Avoid contact with ill persons.
* When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (if you do not have a tissue). Throw used tissues in a trash can.
* After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
* If you think you are ill with flu, avoid close contact with others as much as possible. Stay at home or in your hotel room. Seek medical care if you are severely ill (such as having trouble breathing).

There are antiviral medications for prevention and treatment of swine flu that a doctor can prescribe. Do not go to work, school, or travel while ill.