Possible Novel H1N1 Cases in Pigs Not Unexpected; Experts Say U.S. Pork Is Safe to Eat

/PRNewswire/ -- The following is attributed to J. Patrick Boyle, President and CEO, American Meat Institute:

"USDA has confirmed that hogs at the Minnesota State Fair may have screened positive for the novel H1N1 virus. USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories expects to have confirmatory results within the next few days. This event is not unexpected given that much like humans, hogs can contract influenza viruses.

Experts have said unequivocally that U.S. pork is safe to eat and that people can not contract the flu from eating pork or pork products. USDA scientists have underscored that novel H1N1 flu is not a foodborne disease; it is a respiratory infection that does not impact pork safety.

The U.S. government has in place strict safeguards to protect the safety of our food supply. All pork sold in the U.S. is inspected by USDA and must meet strict safety standards. Every hog that is processed is inspected by a federal veterinarian to ensure only healthy hogs enter our food supply. The "Passed and Inspected by USDA" seal ensures that pork is wholesome and free from disease.

Consumers can continue to enjoy pork as part of a healthy, balanced diet. It is important that consumers take care of their health. An essential part of staying healthy is eating a balanced diet that includes vitamin and mineral-rich foods like pork."

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Martial Law Bill In Massachusetts Just in Time for Swine Flu

Watch and see how fast the feds jump on this one for all of America. Enter our house to investigate what? How often we sneeze? How many boxes of tissue we have used?


Swine Flu Martial Law Bill Clears Massachusetts Senate

Posted April 29th, 2009 by sharpsteve

It took corporate media swine flu hysteria to ram through a martial law bill in Massachusetts. S18 gives the Governor the power to authorize the deployment and use of force to distribute supplies and materials and local authorities will be allowed to enter private residences for investigation and to quarantine individuals......http://www.dailypaul.com/node/91399

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The Pig vs. the Census Taker: Who Will Win?

TT Note: Here's an interesting story on the possible source for the Mexican swine flu. Note how the blame for the outbreak is listed as potentially coming from America. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Of course, if the consensus is a census worker, that will make the current door to door census salesmen types highly suspect. Oops, I forgot, they already are.

SWINE FLU
Mexico tries to focus on source of infection


By Tracy Wilkinson and Cecilia Sánchez
April 28, 2009


Reporting from Mexico City -- With the death toll climbing, Mexican authorities at the center of an international swine flu epidemic struggled Monday to piece together its lethal march, with attention focusing on a 4-year-old boy and a pig farm.

The boy, who survived the illness, has emerged as Mexico's earliest known case of the never-before-seen virus, Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said Monday. It provides an important clue to the unique strain's path......http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-fg-mexico-flu28-2009apr28,0,1701782.story

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It's a Human Virus- Not a Pig Virus

Media Urged to Correct Inaccurate References to 'Swine Flu'


/PRNewswire/ -- The American Meat Institute (AMI) urged the news media to cease inaccurate references to swine flu because they are creating confusion among the public.

"According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), North American Flu is a more accurate description of the virus that has affected people in North America," said AMI President J. Patrick Boyle.

Boyle referenced an OIE press release issued today which read, "The virus has not been isolated in animals to date. Therefore, it is not justified to name this disease swine influenza. In the past, many human influenza epidemics with animal origin have been named using their geographic name, e.g. Spanish influenza or Asiatic influenza, thus it would be logical to call this disease 'North-American influenza'".

Boyle stressed that pork is safe and consumers do not need to change their eating habits in the wake of this news. "Public health officials, including those from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control, have made clear that pork is not a source of influenza. Consumers can continue to enjoy pork with confidence."

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