The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now confirming that a sample sent to them from a hog at the Minnesota State Fair and tested by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories does, in fact, test positive for the 2009 strain of the H1N1 virus.
The sample was taken after several children staying at a dormitory at the fair fell ill with the flu virus. The sample as submitted by the University of Minnesota. More samples are being tested.
Vilsack stated in the USDA news release that, ‘“We have fully engaged our trading partners to remind them that several international organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health, have advised that there is no scientific basis to restrict trade in pork and pork products . . . People cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products. Pork is safe to eat."
It is important to note, as the USDA did in the news release, that show pigs and commercial pigs “are in separate segments of the swine industry that do not typically interchange personnel or animal stock.”
To read the USDA news release click here.
To read today’s previous post on this story click here.
The sample was taken after several children staying at a dormitory at the fair fell ill with the flu virus. The sample as submitted by the University of Minnesota. More samples are being tested.
Vilsack stated in the USDA news release that, ‘“We have fully engaged our trading partners to remind them that several international organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health, have advised that there is no scientific basis to restrict trade in pork and pork products . . . People cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products. Pork is safe to eat."
It is important to note, as the USDA did in the news release, that show pigs and commercial pigs “are in separate segments of the swine industry that do not typically interchange personnel or animal stock.”
To read the USDA news release click here.
To read today’s previous post on this story click here.
Posted: 10/19/09
