September 21, 2009

A herd of pigs in Northern Ireland has contracted AH1N1, the first European case of the pandemic flu virus being found in pigs, although such cases have been reported elsewhere. 

 

The Food Standards Agency said AH1N1 posed no food safety risk as it was not transmissible through pork. 

 

Northern Ireland's chief vet Bert Houston said farmers with AH1N1 should try to keep away from their pigs.

 

Ulster Farmers Union President Graham Furey said he felt the pork industry would not be affected. He said that the industry should recover in time.