Facts about H1N1

April 29, 2009 – Information about the H1N1 prepared by National Pork Board.

Pork and pork products are safe.

• According to the CDC, influenza H1N1 “is not transmitted by food. You cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products.”
• U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has said that the virus should not be called “swine flu” because there is no indication that any swine from the United States has been infected.  “I want to reiterate that U.S. pork is safe,” Secretary Vilsack said. “While we in the United States are continuing to monitor for new cases of H1N1 flu, the American food supply is safe.”
• U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, has said, “Pork and pork products are safe and there is no basis for restricting imports. You should also know that you cannot get H1N1 flu from eating pork. Pork products are perfectly safe.”

Modern pork production practices are designed to protect both animal and human health.

• Animals are housed in temperature‐controlled facilities that are scientifically designed to ensure the health and safety of the herd.
• Modern pork production practices keep the animals clean, safe and protect the animals from predators, disease and extreme weather

The flu virus infecting humans has not been identified in hogs in the United States or anywhere in the world.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said, “At this time, there is no evidence that this influenza subtype is present in pigs in the United States or anywhere in the pig herd in the world.”
• The CDC has also said it has found no evidence to indicate that any of the human illnesses resulted from contact with pigs.
• U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has said, “We have no indication that any swine from the United States has been infected.”
• The World Animal Health body has said, “The virus has not been isolated in animals to date.”