August 7, 2009

In order to protect both human health and the food supply - the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) is strongly advising all people working in the pork production industry be vaccinated against seasonal influenza annually and against any novel human influenza A viruses as they emerge.

The organization also recommends that all personnel associated with pork production and harvest intensify basic hygiene and biosecurity practices.

The AASV says control of influenza in the swine herd has been less flexible and use of currently approved vaccines should continue to control clinical signs of disease of swine influenza virus. The organisation says vaccination of swine against the pandemic AH1N1 2009 influenza virus should be implemented if scientific evidence demonstrates that vaccination reduces virus shedding and the risk of transmission to pork production personnel.

The association also recommends the development of a system modelled on the World Health Organization system for strain selection that facilitates the production of national or regional influenza vaccines for swine. Also recommended is that pork producers cooperate fully and actively participate in the development and implementation of surveillance programs established by federal, state and local governments to promote a full understanding of the extent of a novel virus spread in the US swine herd.