H1N1 found in Minnesota pigs, Oregon ferret
National Report -- Tests confirm that pigs at the recent Minnesota State Fair were infected with H1N1 influenza virus. They are the first swine in the country to be found with the 2009 pandemic virus.
National Report
-- Tests confirm that pigs at the recent Minnesota State Fair were infected with H1N1 influenza virus. They are the first swine in the country to be found with the 2009 pandemic virus.
Infection in the fair pigs does not necessarily mean contamination of commercial herds, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson, because the populations seldom share personnel or animal stock.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reminded the public that H1N1 cannot be contracted by people from eating pork and pork products.
The samples collected at the fair were part of a University of Iowa and University of Minnesota research project funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a separate incident this month, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Emilio DeBess suspects a Portland mother and her children may have accidentally infected their pet ferret with the H1N1 virus. DeBess tested and confirmed H1N1 in the animal, which is recovering.
