Second Flu Case in Australian Pigs

August 19, 2009 — 

According to an Australian Broadcasting Corporation news report, officials are confirming a second case of the A/H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza virus in a pig herd in Australia.

The herd, located in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, has reportedly been placed under quarantine to minimize the risk of further spread until the pigs recover. The Victorian Agriculture Minister reiterated that there is no risk to human health and the pigs are expected to fully recover. He noted that the disease is relatively mild in pigs and was most likely introduced through personnel who had the flu.

Australian animal health authorities recently reported that the pigs associated with the initial case in New South Wales have now fully recovered following approximately 5% morbidity and no mortality. Laboratory testing confirmed that the virus isolated from the pigs showed 99% homology to the Auckland/1/2009 reference strain of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009. People associated with the piggery, who had shown influenza-like illness prior to the outbreak in pigs, have been confirmed as being infected with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009.

Sources:
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
OIE