AMES, Iowa -- The possibility of a worldwide influenza pandemic
may have implications for swine producers in Iowa, according to
Dr. Jim McKean, Iowa State University swine veterinarian. The
new recombinant virus has genetic components previously seen in
strains of human, avian and swine influenzas, McKean said, but
this specific H1N1 influenza virus strain has never been
identified in swine. “Calling it ‘swine flu’ is a nomenclature
issue, rather than an origin issue,” McKean said. He said it was
identified as a swine flu because of its similarity to other
swine flu strains identified previously. “Hogs are not necessary
for this influenza to spread,” McKean said, and all cases
investigated so far “have had no swine contact whatsoever.” It
transfers from human to human, and has nothing to do with pigs.
McKean said it is not known how the virus strain might affect
swine, and because of that, hog producers should take
precautions to keep it from getting into the swine population.
“Pork producers should be minimi