County fairs in Michigan are a staple of summertime. It's fun for the whole family to tour the midway, grab some classic fair food, and of course, visit the many animals throughout the grounds, like pigs! As fair season approaches, some people may become concerned about transmission of swine flu and the safety of both people and pigs.
We hear a lot about influenza transmission from pigs to humans, but did you know that humans transmit influenza, (both pandemic and seasonal) to Pigs!
I was recently asked to share my knowledge of Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) and its effect on people. SIV is common in swine herds and typically does not cause disease in humans.
Between 2009 and 2011, There were more than 70 human origin influenza viruses transmitted to swine in 12 countries (Nelson, et al, 2012). On the flip side, there were only 27 swine origin influenza viruses that were identified in humans in the United States in a similar period.
As a veterinarian, I am concerned for both human and pig health. That's why it's so important for humans infected with influenza to stay away from pigs. Each time influenza is transmitted from a person to a pig, it increases the variation of the strain of influenza. Many of us know the immune system is efficient in protecting against strains which it recognizes, and the more variation in the virus genome the less recognition. This is why there is precaution taken to keep both people and pigs especially healthy during fair season.
As most parents have experienced when they first send their children to day care, combining 200 or more pigs from different locations and housing them in one fair barn, they are more likely to share virus and bacteria.
Last summer's break of Type A Swine Influenza, H3N2v, that affected people from pigs has heightened awareness and engaged extra precautions by fair associations in 2013. This year at the county fair you may see hot water hand washing stations and sanitizers for people who touch the pigs and signs that state "Do not bring food into the exhibit area."
Because most bacteria and virus are shed and contracted orally, eating food in the barns or placing contaminated items in the mouth provides pathogens a direct entry to the body system. For those of you with little ones, be sure that your child does not put a pacifier or toy in their mouth if it has been dropped. Wash it with hot water and soap to sanitize it.
Michigan pig farmers and fair exhibitors take plenty of precaution to ensure everyone's safety during the fair. Risk mitigation for fair exhibitors in Michigan includes vaccination of show pigs 4-6 weeks before their first exhibit as well as a limit to the number of exhibits per summer. Vaccines for Influenza Type A have a "duration of immunity" for 5-6 months, ensuring immune protection for the vaccinated pigs well into fall.
Farmers do their best to limit the spread of influenza by getting their flu shot, vaccinating their pigs and not coming into work when they have symptoms. You can also help by making sure you receive your flu shot and avoiding contact with pigs if you have a compromised immune system.
Enjoy your summer and the local fairs, but if you have flu-like symptoms, please stay home, rest well, and keep away from the fair pigs.
If you are at home this summer feeling the symptoms of influenza, make this quick and easy soup to help you get on the mend.
All the best, Madonna
1 medium onion
1 medium carrot
1 stalk celery
6-8 tbs diced tomatoes
8 cups chicken stock
Sea salt, cracked balck pepper, oregano
1 smoked pork chop
1 can cannellini beans
4 cups loose fresh spinach leaves
1 cup small pasta
Parmigiano reggiano cheese
Chop the celery, carrots and onions and mix in a sizzling wok or pot with a few glugs of extra virgin olive oil
Add a dash of salt, a generous tablespoon of black pepper and two tablespoons of dried oregano
Let the ingredients soften for a few minutes
Add half a can of diced tomatoes in juice; toss everything well and let simmer for a few moments
Cut the meat of a defrosted smoked pork chop off the bone and then into bite-sized pieces
Add the pieces of pork and the bone into the pan and stir
Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil then lower to a gentle simmer and let cook for 30 minutes
Drain and rinse a can of cannellini beans then add them to the pot
While that is simmering, boil a cup of ditalini pasta in salted water
Throw spinach leaves in the soup during the last two minutes of its simmer
Shred parmigiano reggiano cheese on top of the soup to your liking
"The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Michigan State University nor MPPA."
Nelson M. M.R. Gramer, A.L. Vincent and E. C. Holmes. Journal of General Virology (2012), 93, 2195-2203.