Southern Ag Center

It is important for you to keep updated on the current swine flu outbreak. Stay informed by checking the Center's for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or 1-800-CDC-INFO or the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals www.flula.com for up-to-date information.

Facts you need to know about Swine Influenza (flu):

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people. The flu is contagious.
Symptoms of the swine flu are similar to regular human flu: cough, sore throat, high fever, running nose, and body aches. See http://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. A doctor's examine may be needed to determine if you have a mild cold, flu, or swine flu.
Seek immediate medical help if there are additional symptoms like difficulty breathing, fast breathing, shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, and fever with a rash. See http://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm#emergency.
Special care should be taken for children, elders, and others with compromised immune system.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: eat nutritious meals, exercise, get proper rest, and reduce stress.
According to USDA scientists, you can not get swine flu from eating cooked pork or pork products.

General questions and sources for answers:

What is this flu that people are talking about on the news?
It is a new strain of flu that consists of a mixture of genetic material from swine, avian and human influenza viruses.

How do I cover my cough?
By covering your nose and your mouth with a tissue or by sneezing or coughing into your shirt sleeve our coat jacket. Throw the used tissue into a wastebasket and washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Post this hand out http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/covercough_hcp8-5x11.pdf in your restrooms as a reminder.

What if I get sick with the flu?
The CDC has provided a list of steps to take in caring for someone with a flu, review the list here so that you can provide information to your doctor: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm

Can I get it from eating pork or pork products?
According to USDA scientists, no. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

How can I prevent the flu?
Follow the steps listed above or take the CDC's recommended three steps to fight to flu: get vaccinated, take everyday preventive actions, take flu drugs if your doctor recommends.

For livestock producers:

You can get the swine flu through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses or through contact with a person with swine flu

Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed.
Workers should change clothes prior to leaving swine barns
Keep pig feed in closed containers to prevent contamination with feces from over-flying waterfowl.
Provide boots for workers that are worn only within the pig housing units
hand-washing stations should be available throughout the animal housing areas
Do not loan equipment or vehicles to or borrow them from other farms.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles entering and leaving the farm
Be sure to get your new animals checked by a veterinarian
Avoid visiting other livestock farms without proper cleaning and disinfection
Report sick animals immediately to your veterinarian and state veterinarian Henry Moreau at (225) 925-3980
Read the CDC reports (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm) for more information.

Can I get it from being around or touching swine?
According to the CDC you can get swine flu through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with seine flu viruses. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0131.xml

How do we protect our swine?
Read these steps from the National Pork Board at http://www.pork.org/PorkScience/Documents/PUBLICHEALTH%20influenza.pdf or from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/AHS/how%20can%20pork%20producers%20minimize%20the%20transmission%20of%20influenza%20viruses.pdf for protecting your swine.

What if I get sick with the flu?
The CDC has provided a list of steps to take in caring for someone with a flu, review the list here so that you can provide information to your doctor: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm

What do I do if I notice sick swine?
If you notice any of this, isolate the animal and contact your heard veterinarian and state veterinarian Henry Moreau at (225) 925-3980.

Click the following link for CDC podcast.

http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11281#