Influenza type A H1N1

Update August 2010

On August 5, 2010, Ministry of Health advised the New Zealand public of a significant recent increase in the number of human influenza cases. Pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 is the predominant strain that has been identified, and the disease has particularly affected the geographic areas that were least affected last year.

Similar to last year, it remains very unlikely that pigs are involved in this year’s seasonal human influenza cases.

However NZPork, in conjunction with MAF, continues to work closely with New Zealand pig farmers to ensure potential transmission pathways from humans to pigs are controlled.

We re-iterate our earlier messages to all commercial pig farmers and anyone who keeps pigs for hobby or pleasure:

• All persons (and their family members) working with pigs are encouraged to receive the seasonal influenza vaccination which includes the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain. If you have yet not done so, act quickly as vaccine supplies may be limited. Note that the vaccine takes up to 2 weeks to provide its full level of protection.
• Maintain effective on-farm biosecurity (check the links below for further information) to minimise the likelihood of pigs becoming infected with influenza virus.

Please pass on these messages to all keepers of pigs.

Biosecurity for pig farms:

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/swine-flu
Recommended Minimum Farm Biosecurity Standard for Pork Producers

Further important information to keep New Zealand safe from exotic pests and diseases:

Protecting New Zealand from Exotic Pests and Diseases

Human health information:

Influenza 2010 - Ministry of Health

Influenza type A H1N1

Managing the risk to the New Zealand pork producing industry

The H1N1 virus is a new strain of the influenza A virus involving components of swine, avian and human influenza. It is a human health risk because it is being transmitted from human to human, and does not appear to involve pigs at all.

There has never been a case of swine influenza in pigs in New Zealand. However NZPork, in collaboration with MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is taking all precautions to ensure that potential transmission pathways from humans to pigs are controlled.

Please ensure that you maintain effective farm biosecurity. Refer to NZPork’s minimum on-farm biosecurity standard for your guidance.

In addition to this minimum standard, please ensure that:

• You take particular care around visitor access to your farm, and especially to your pigs. We strongly recommend that you allow access only to persons who need to visit.
• You are particularly vigilant around disinfecting and cleaning procedures when people enter and leave your farm. We strongly recommend that all footwear in all circumstances is cleaned and disinfected both prior to entry and before leaving the farm.
• Staff who are sick, particularly with flu-like symptoms, do not work with pigs and do not have any contact with co-workers.
• You raise any unusual pig health issues with your veterinary adviser immediately. (We are also asking our industry’s veterinary advisers to maintain their vigilance around unusual pig health issues.)

We are publicising this advice via NZPork’s and MAFBNZ’s website. But importantly, we also ask you, the commercial industry, to pass on this message to all owners of pigs as widely as you can.

Symptoms of swine influenza in pigs

Symptoms of swine influenza in pigs include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and loss of appetite.