Australian pig farm quarantined over swine flu

A piggery in Goulburn Valley, south-eastern Australia, has been placed in quarantine, after tests confirmed its pigs have swine flu.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) was told on Monday (Aug 17) that the pigs were not eating.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said normal bio-security protocols are being followed so that there's no movement of the pigs from the piggery.

DPI chief veterinary officer, Hugh said it appears highly likely that it is the same strain as the one affecting humans.

Miller said the disease is mild in pigs and the outbreak will probably be resolved without too much intervention.

This is the second case of swine flu on a pig farm in Australia. In July a piggery in New South Wales was found to be infected. It has also been found in piggeries overseas, most notably in Canada.

Miller said the disease is short-lived and mild in pig populations and is unlikely the virus will mutate and affect humans.