dturm
Munster, IN
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This story has made the NY Times and CDC had a news release:
CDC wrote:CDC Reports Cases 14-17 of H3N2v Infection; Shares Advice for Safe Fair-Going
July 26, 2012
CDC today reported the first fair-associated outbreak of influenza A (H3N2) variant virus this year. Genetic testing at CDC has confirmed that viruses found in humans and those found in swine in this situation are nearly identical. Fairs are an important event for exhibitors and their swine, and a great experience for fairgoers, but the detection of H3N2v at a few fairs last year, and the re-emergence at one fair so far this year is an issue CDC is watching. "As fair season begins across the United States, CDC would like to let people know about some preventive actions they can take to make their fair experience a safe and healthy one," says CDC Influenza Division Deputy Director Dan Jernigan.
Since these things get blown out of proportion fequently, I thought it useful to update you all.
We have been getting updates from our state health dept and the original cases came from the LaPort county fair in INDIANA (two counties east of us). All the cases were in pigs and people exposed to those pigs. There does not seem to be any transmission from person to person.
This is county and state fair time around us (I know it is very different in other parts of the country) but its always a good reminder when you see the animals, OBSERVE them and if you see signs of disease stay away. AND wash your hands.
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rockhillmanor
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Thanks for posting the info.
Last summer when I snowbirded back home to Wisconsin I went to a couple of the the country fairs and they had become very pro active and in each barn they had installed a wash/sanitize station instructing fair goers to wash their hands thoroughly before and after leaving each barn.
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us".
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BCSnob
Middletown, MD
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I wonder when we in North America will catch up to the UK when it comes to agricultural biosecurity (disposable booties on shoes, foot baths for all human visitors, etc).
I'm surprised swine flu is not part of the health exams required to show swine. I know in MD, to show poultry every entrant must be tested for avian flu (blood test on very bird).
Mark
* This post was
edited 08/07/12 05:50am by BCSnob *
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dturm
Munster, IN
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BCSnob wrote:I wonder when we in North America will catch up to the UK when it comes to agricultural biosecurity (disposable booties on shoes, foot baths for all human visitors, etc).
I'm surprised swine flu is not part of the health exams required to show swine. I know in MD, to show poultry every entrant must be tested for avian flu (blood test on very bird).
Mark
There are many confinement operations for swine and poultry that have biosecurity that rivals CDC labs (OK not quite like a level 4  ) where access is restricted and booties and clothing covers are required.
I think these flu varieties change so frequently that prevention and testing is a never ending competition between the labs and the pathogens.
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BCSnob
Middletown, MD
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Flu varieties do change frequently but there are flu tests which are not that sensitive to the seasonal changes, Idexx offers flu subtype A test, H1N1 & H3N2 for swine and flu subtype A tests for poultry.
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dturm
Munster, IN
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BCSnob wrote:Flu varieties do change frequently but there are flu tests which are not that sensitive to the seasonal changes, Idexx offers flu subtype A test, H1N1 & H3N2 for swine and flu subtype A tests for poultry.
You are way beyond my knowledge base 
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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dturm wrote:BCSnob wrote:Flu varieties do change frequently but there are flu tests which are not that sensitive to the seasonal changes, Idexx offers flu subtype A test, H1N1 & H3N2 for swine and flu subtype A tests for poultry.
You are way beyond my knowledge base
We should dub Mark the "Cootie Guru"!!!!
Back to Swine Flu - I found it interesting that it only seems to go from pigs to humans. If I was a Fair Board - I'd post signs that say "don't pet the pigs". And then yes, have hand sanitizer stations for all those who either don't read (kids) or don't pay attention (adults)
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BCSnob
Middletown, MD
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Before I accept, where will my ashram be located?
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rockhillmanor
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20 years ago I stayed at a friends house in Indiana who was one of the biggest pig farmers in the area. He also was the town sheriff, ha, ha.
They had gates like a prison on every entrance and warning signs all over how far you could enter onto their property. ALL was for the prevention of transmission of diseases. I DID have to were booties on my feet to enter the farrowing house.
Since that time I have noticed if entering a farmer that raises hogs they have a 'stop' sign halfway down their driveways where you are not allowed to go any further. This city kid at the time thought pigs where pretty resistant to everything, apparently not.
Since then and moving to the country I have found that farmers have to be really proficient scientists to be successful.
When I started raising chickens I got a real BIG education on the diseases they have. There are over 40 different upper respiratory diseases that poultry can get that are easy transferred to humans.
And BEFORE you decide to raise chickens when you have dogs.....look up 'Blastomycosis' first.
I can't speak for other states but in Wisconsin is most often found in the ground in areas where chickens have been housed and raised. My neighbor lost one of her top 10 Irish Setters and 2 puppies to this disease.
I don't know how old this article is in regards to current treatment
but it gives you an idea of the severity of the deadly disease.
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/blstomyc.html
* This post was
edited 08/07/12 01:34pm by rockhillmanor *
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BCSnob
Middletown, MD
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Which came first the fungus in the moist soil or the chickens pecking in the moist soil?
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