September 2, 2010

AH1N1 flu strikes Finnish pigs

The Finnish veterinary authorities have reported an outbreak of AH1N1 flu, affecting a population consisting of fattening pigs.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on Monday (Aug 30). A total of 1,500 cases were identified, and 1,500 animals showed signs of susceptibility to the pandemic AH1N1 flu virus which emerged in 2009.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was conducted at the Finnish Food Safety Authority (EVIRA), Finland's national laboratory, and the presence of the virus was thereby confirmed.

However, the situation has been resolved, and the country has returned to being AH1N1-free.