Protecting Pigs from H1N1 at the State Fair

Agriculture leaders said those who attend the fair this year need to keep the health of fellow fairgoers in mind, and those other fairgoers they're talking about are the pigs.

Tuesday, September 15th 2009, 10:35 pm

By: News 9


By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Agriculture leaders said those who attend the fair this year need to keep the health of fellow fairgoers in mind, and those other fairgoers they're talking about are the pigs.

The H1N1 virus is a human illness, but the virus can jump from humans to pigs. It hasn't happened in the U.S. yet, but precautions are being taken.

At first, national organizations wanted to cancel swine shows at fairs to protect the pigs, but now it's just about educating the public.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture will have a stepped up presence at the Oklahoma State Fair. Veterinarians will be keeping a close eye at the pig pens and will test and isolate any pig that may seem sick.

To eliminate the risk of getting the pigs sick, anyone with flu-like symptoms will be asked to stay away from the livestock at the fair. Health officials said H1N1 patients should skip going out in public in general until symptoms have passed.

Learn more about the fair's efforts to keep pigs healthy this year

Becky Brewer is a veterinarian with the State of Oklahoma and will be helping to make sure the pigs at the fair stay healthy.

"We're protecting the pigs with good bio-security measures. We're putting up signage at the fair reminding people if they are ill to not go around the livestock exhibits," Brewer said.

The signs outside barns eight and nine will read, "If you are sick, please help keep the animals healthy and do not enter this building. Thank you for your cooperation." While the signs inside the barns and next to exits will remind fairgoers to, "Help keep yourself and the animals healthy.  Wash your hands frequently and especially before and after contact with any animals.  Thank You."

Health experts and livestock owners are hoping fairgoers heed the warning.

Zach Johnson of Swifty Swines has a rambunctious bunch that he debuting at the Oklahoma State Fair this year. He said he's hoping his racing crew stays healthy and doesn't want anyone with the flu to fill his stands.

"Stay at home, get better. We're an 11 day show. Come out later and enjoy the fair later on," Johnson said.

As health insurance, each of Johnson's pigs are taking a B12 vitamin to boost their immune systems keeping them happy, healthy and, of course, swift.

The biggest reason for concern to keep the H1N1 virus from spreading to pigs is economic. The pork industry has already taken a hit, because consumers stopped buying pork when the H1N1 virus debuted and was inappropriately named the swine flu.

Health experts also want to remind the public that right now pigs do not pass the flu to humans, and that it's the other way around. That's because so far no pigs in the United States have contracted the H1N1 flu.

Veterinarians said if a pig does get the H1N1 virus, they're able to recover just like humans.

Learn more about the daily schedule of the Oklahoma State Fair this year.

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