November 2, 2009
Lab results show five more pigs have AH1N1 in Minnesota
New laboratory results have confirmed that five more pigs that were taken to the Minnesota State Fair tested positive for AH1N1, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
The USDA announced on October 19 that one show pig at the fair--the first ever found in the US--had contracted the virus that is primarily being spread by humans around the globe.
The virus historically only sickened pigs and many farmers vaccinate, but it has mutated into a flu that now sickens and kills humans.
Scientists at the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories are still running confirmatory tests on "six additional samples that had preliminary H1N1 positive results," a USDA spokesman said. "USDA continues to remind US swine producers about the need for good hygiene, biosecurity and other practices that will reduce introducing and spreading of influenza viruses in their herd."
