May 5, 2009
CFIA to conduct more tests on Alberta swine herd with H1N1
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Saturday further testing is needed after finding the H1N1 flu virus in a swine herd in Alberta, Canada.
The pigs most likely contracted the virus from a Canadian who had returned from Mexico in mid-April and had exhibited flu-like symptoms, said the CFIA. Other news sources said the individual in question was a carpenter who was working at the barn.
The individual has recovered and all of the pigs are recovering or have recovered, said the CFIA. The chance that these pigs could transfer virus to a person is remote, said the CFIA.
The herd has been placed under quarantine, and the CFIA is working with public health colleagues to determine the most appropriate next steps to ensure that public and animal health remain protected. The CFIA stressed that the safety of the food supply is not affected and Canadian pork continues to be safe to eat.
While further testing is needed to more fully characterize the virus, the CFIA is taking a precautionary approach. Pigs in Canada are tested for influenza viruses on an ongoing basis across the country during routine investigations into respiratory illnesses.
In a separate statement Saturday, Canada's s federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz also made the point that Canadian pork is safe and the H1N1 flu is not a food safety issue. "The case identified in Alberta is entirely contained. There is no threat to human or animal health."
Ritz said the country is committed to full transparency and will provide further updates as they become available.
"We will continue to work with our trading partners to ensure that trade decisions are based on sound science. We will continue to reiterate the fact that pork is safe as stated by the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) and WHO (World Health Organization)," said Ritz.
Ritz said he has spoken with the US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about the situation in Alberta.
Over the weekend China banned the imports of hogs and hog products from Alberta, according to Chinese news reports. China has already banned shipments of hogs and hog products from Mexico and several US states affected with human cases of the H1N1 flu.
