The spread of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza (commonly called Human Swine Flu) in humans in Tasmania has increased the risk of infection in our pig population and it is timely to encourage everyone with a pig, including those with just one or two backyard pigs, to ensure they practise good biosecurity.  This is not just for the pigs’ sake, but also our own because an outbreak of this strain in pigs could prolong the current public (ie human) health situation significantly.

The current human disease is a novel influenza A type H1N1 virus.  This strain appears to be a recombinant of human, swine and avian viruses.  While there have now been over 11,000 confirmed cases in humans in Australia, there is no evidence of it or any other type of influenza in Australian pigs so far.  It has been found apparently in a small number of pig herds overseas,  however the source of the infections (from humans or other pigs) is still a mystery.  As our pigs are naive to the disease,  its impact on them is difficult to predict.

As it is possible that an infected human could introduce this new strain into our pig population, the following steps are important preventative measures. Of course,  they should be routine anyway, irrespective of the current outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza in humans.
1. Don’t allow anyone with flu-like symptoms to have any close contact with your pigs;
2. Before anyone has any close contact with your pigs, check whether they or any family members have had flu-like symptoms in the last 7 days or have had close contact recently with anyone that has had flu-like symptoms;
3. Keep a record of who comes in contact with your pigs, where your pigs have come from and where they go to;
4. Visitors who have close contact with your pigs should be wearing clean clothing and boots. Make sure there are hand and boot washing facilities for them to use before and after handling your pigs, and that those facilities are used;
5. All equipment used on your pigs should be clean and stay on your property unless the item is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between properties;
6 Vehicles moving pigs on to and off your property should be clean.

Influenza in pigs must be reported to animal health authorities.  It is expected that disease control measures would centre on biosecurity and movement restrictions rather than slaughtering.  If you suspect your pigs have influenza (lethargy, coughing, sneezing, inappetance, fever) please contact the Exotic Disease Hotline (1800 675 888).

Zoonoses aren’t just animal diseases that can affect humans – it can work the other way around ! 

DPIWE alert
Subject: Biosecurity Advisory 22/2009 - Pigs and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza (commonly called Human Swine Flu)