Page 13 of articles about influenza

Ongoing surveillance for respiratory diseases in Manitoba swine herds has detected the novel pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in several herds, including sow barns, nursery barns, and feeder barns in various locations in the province.

Outbreaks of influenza virus in pigs has occurred in western New South Wales, northern Victoria and south-east Queensland. These outbreaks are in commercial piggeries.

South Korea said on Tuesday it would resume imports of live swine from North America, lifting a ban imposed since the outbreak of H1N1 flu in April.

Researchers in Germany have added a twist to the pandemic currently affecting humans: the influenza virus A/H1N1 has been shown to be infectious in pigs and to spread quickly in a trial pig population. Published in The Journal of General Virology, the results of the study are part of the EU-funded EPIZONE ('Network on epizootic disease diagnosis and control') project, which is supported under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to the tune of EUR 14 million.

A piggery in NSW has been placed in quarantine after returning positive tests for Influenza A H1.

Pigs are susceptible to infection with influenza A (H1N1) virus that results in the induction of detectable levels of clinical disease, virus shedding and pathology in an experimental setting.

During its regular surveillance activities, the ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation (MAPAQ), has detected one isolated case of A(H1N1) in a swine herd.

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians will release a document with recommendations on the Pandemic H1N1 disease and the risk it poses to the U.S. swine herd, according to Rodney “Butch” Baker, DVM, AASV president.

Affected animals will be managed using the same veterinary management and biosecurity practices employed for other swine influenza viruses. This includes limiting opportunities for virus to spread to susceptible animals. Canada’s slaughter system contains multiple inspection points to ensure that only healthy animals enter the food supply.

The strain of influenza, A/H1N1, that is currently pandemic in humans has been shown to be infectious to pigs and to spread rapidly in a trial pig population.

There remain many questions about this disease. In this respect, the OIE has made a call for enhanced surveillance among swine populations and enhanced on-farm biosecurity measures – including the protection of pigs from exposure to potentially infected people – and has stressed the importance of a strong cooperation between veterinary services and public health authorities.

The second quarter of 2009 ended with both pork production and hog and pork prices below a year ago, which strongly suggests lower product demand. Lower production and lower prices are expected to persist for the balance of this year.

The decision affects Ontario pork products produced before May 15 and after July 18, 2009, and means that Russia no longer has any H1N1-related restrictions on Canadian products.

Argentina's government declared on Friday a nationwide animal health emergency following the discovery of the new H1N1 flu virus in at least one pig herd.