H1N1 in US commercial swine herd

The pandemic H1N1 influenza virus has been found for the first time in a commercial swine herd, Reuters has reported.

The affected herd was found in Indiana, according to the USDA who noted that both the pigs and their caretakers have fully recovered from the virus. USDA said the Indiana facility has continued its routine processing practices because it is safe for swine that recover from influenza viruses to be slaughtered.

A USDA spokesman said it could not release the city, name of the facility or the size of the herd where the pandemic H1N1 virus was found "in order to ensure continued high levels of participation in swine surveillance efforts, and because this is not a food safety or public health risk."

"It's expected that pigs will get this particular flu strain just like pigs every year get the flu," said Dave Warner of the National Pork Producers Council, who added he would not be surprised to see more cases of pandemic H1N1 in US hogs.

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