Even though health officials have denied that the "swine flu" came from pig farms, the media seized on the Smithfield plant in Mexico because of its proximity to the initial outbreak. Despite the fact that plant workers or the pigs are still healthy, Smithfield stocks dropped earlier in the week. With fear of losing even more profit in an already tough economy, the pork industry fought back to change public perception and remind people that according to the Center for Disease Control:
Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?Today the Pork Producer's Council released this statement:
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
“The restrictions should be short lived because U.S. and international authorities have made it clear that the H1N1 virus is transmitted through human contact and that pork is 100 percent safe to consume,” said NPPC Vice President and International Trade Counsel Nick Giordano. “NPPC has been in constant contact with U.S. trade officials, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk have been busy working the phones with our trading partners. It is imperative that our trade officials stop the export bleeding now.”Swine Flu (or Influenza A) still has no vaccine, but as of this post only 109 confirmed cases have been found in the US, with only one death occuring in the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) today named the virus “Influenza A,” and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) said the H1N1 influenza should never have been named “swine” flu and there is no justification for the imposition of trade measures on the importation of pigs or their products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security all confirm there are no food safety issues with the virus and that it is not in the U.S. hog herd.
Further Reading:
A Brochure from the CDC about Swine Flu and pigs. (opens a PDF)
Reuters on pork farmers urged to reduce flu risk.
MeatInfoUK on the rejection of claims that pig farms have caused the flu.
BNet on the flu's impact on the pork industry
