Thai pork safe amid AH1N1-contaminated pork imports

The World Health Organization (WHO) office in Thailand on Saturday (July 18) advised the public not to panic over confirmed reports that imported Argentina pigs are carrying the deadly AH1N1 virus, advising that pork may continue to be consumed within fear of contracting what was initially called swine flu.

 

Dr. Somchai Peerapakorn of WHO's Thailand country office said it was within earlier expectations by scientists that pigs could contract the deadly influenza AH1N1.

 

Dr. Somchai added probe on how the virus contracted by pigs could be spread should be immediately done.

 

 

Reports from the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires said that health officials there had issued a nationwide alert Friday after pigs at one farm were confirmed by laboratory tests to have contracted AH1N1 influenza.

 

The first case was detected in June in Buenos Aires.

 

Authorities, however, stressed there was no danger for humans to eat pork.

 

In Thailand, Dr. Somchai said the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry must conduct a survey to find out whether the disease has spread to swine farms, and that the public should overreact or panic as pork can continue to be consumed.

 

He said if it is proven in future that the disease has become widespread then there will be a need to destroy animals.