November 6, 2009

Two pig samples taken two weeks ago at a slaughterhouse in Hong Kong have tested positive for the influenza AH1N1 virus, local health authorities said Thursday (Nov 5).

It was the first cases of pig infections of the virus found in Hong Kong.

According to Hong Kong's Food and Health Bureau, the University of Hong Kong found the virus in two samples taken on October 22 at the Sheung Shui slaughterhouse in a regular flu surveillance program.

A spokesman for the bureau said the University of Hong Kong did not record the farm of origin of the pig samples concerned.

According to the spokesman, there had been no gene re-assortment and the virus remains genetically similar to the AH1N1 flu viruses found in humans. He added that experts believed these findings indicate that the virus detected in pigs has been transmitted from humans but the risk of human contracting the virus has not increased.

The spokesman said the public does not have to be overly concerned and that it is safe to eat pork and pork products which are handled properly and cooked thoroughly.

In addition, experts at the University of Hong Kong indicated that there was no need to conduct testing for the virus on chilled and frozen pork.

Meanwhile, the authorities have contacted all local pig farmers to remind them to stay vigilant, strictly implement bio security measures, maintain good farm and personal hygiene and report any abnormality in farms immediately to health authorities.

The bureau has also informed the mainland authorities so that they can further step up the monitoring and inspection of the registered farms supplying live pigs to Hong Kong, the spokesman said.

He added that those involved in pig farming and slaughtering would be among the target groups when an influenza AH1N1 vaccination program begins.