Update on Swine flu

30 April 2009

Below is a link to the Defra website containing information on current issues on Novel H1N1 Swine Influenza, including a statement from Hilary Benn and Defra's preliminary outbreak assessment.

This includes a link to the HPA website.

Novel H1N1 Swine Influenza
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/swine-flu/index.htm 

Defra's preliminary outbreak:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/monitoring/pdf/h1n1-090427.pdf 

News Release and Statement:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090428a.htm 

Health Protection Agency advice:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240732817665?p=1240732817665 

28 April 2009

UECBV-NOTE-N-055-2009-EN-REV1   (100kb) 

When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge.

27 April 2009

The Chief Veterinary Officer today stated:

There is continual surveillance of pigs in this country and there is currently no evidence of this variant of the disease. Swine Influenza cannot be transmitted by eating pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is perfectly safe.

"Existing EU rules which prevent imports of all live pigs and pigmeat from Mexico into the EU will continue to be upheld."

We have also prepared some Q&A material which you may want to draw upon  - see below.

We will continue to keep you and other industry stakeholders informed of any developments which are likely to be of interest to you. You will wish to note that - as is usual practice - veterinary colleagues will during the coming week do an assessment of the risk for the UK. Finally, a reminder that you can find information about swine influenza on the animal disease pages of Defra's website.

Below is a Q and A section that may help answer enquiries:

Why is this called swine influenza ?

The virus associated with the human cases in Mexico and USA have characteristics from a number of influenza viruses found in pigs, birds and humans.

There are no reports of the virus which is currently causing disease in humans being found in pigs (although the situation in Mexico is uncertain)

There are no reports of an increase in influenza in pigs occurring in the US/Mexico or elsewhere in the world.

Therefore, although parts of this virus may have originated in pigs, it now appears to be transmitting from human to human direct.

There is no evidence that pigs are currently involved in this human disease although further work is needed.

What are the rules about imports of pigs and pigment into the EU?

EU rules do not permit the importation of live pigs from either the US or Mexico
EU rules do not permit the import of pig meat from Mexico, but pigmeat products can be imported from the US.

However, even if pigs are involved with this virus, the risk to humans from pigmeat is considered by the US CDC to be negligible

EU rules do not allow the personal import of meat or meat products from either the US or Mexico.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.

Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

Further updates will be published as more information becomes available.