Swine flu and Washington Veterinarians

April 28, 2009

Currently, world disease experts are dealing with an outbreak of human-to-human transmitted H1N1 influenza, known by the misnomer of Swine Flu. Here’s what you need to know:

1. There is no reported case of this virus occurring in any animal anywhere at this time. The disease remains limited to human-to-human transmission and presents a potential risk to swine populations from humans.

2. The CDC has determined that this new flu virus contains genetic pieces from four different virus sources. The virus consists of North American swine influenza viruses, North American avian influenza viruses, human influenza viruses and swine influenza viruses found in both Asia and Europe. This is perhaps where the name originated.
 

3. Swine operations in Washington are best served by following strict biosafety precautions as advised by their producer groups and the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

4. The best sources of information for this disease in humans at this time are:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

For general information on swine influenza, general health information guidelines, updates on the status of the human swine influenza outbreak, and travel advisories:

• World Health Organization (WHO)

5. For those with additional concerns, consider:

•  The National Swine Flu Situation Page(tm)

(Content on the page updates automatically and contains information from multiple web sites in one location CDC, health, maps, RSS news feeds and more. National Swine Flu Situation Page (tm).

6. You can embed the National Swine Flu Situation Page into your clinic’s website. Use the embed link given in #5 above to get embed code for your web site.
 

7. The Emergency Email & Wireless Network is available free of charge.

8. Washington State University’s School for Global Animal Health (SGAH) is able to conduct heightened surveillance for diseases that occur at the interface of humans and animals. As a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Washington’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) has prepared for heightened surveillance and testing during the current outbreak of Swine Influenza. All tests for this strain of influenza virus as it occurs in animals are currently available by contacting WADDL at (509) 335-9696 or via the website.

Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.