*This was originally posted on The Hill's Congress Blog. Do any
swine have the virus that has infected humans? There is no
evidence at this time that swine in the United States are
infected with this virus strain. Can I get this new strain of
virus from eating pork or pork products? According to USDA and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no. Swine
influenza viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot 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 all
viruses. The USDA suggests, as it has in the past, cooking pork
and pork products to the proper internal temperature and
preventing cross-contamination between raw and cooked food is
the key to safety. You should: Wash hands with warm water and
soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw pork;
Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw pork away from other
foods; After cutting raw meat, wash cutting b