Ireland Finds Second Case of H1N1 in Pigs

October 1, 2009 — 

Ireland's chief veterinary officer has informed the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of the confirmation of novel H1N1 pandemic influenza virus in a pig herd in Kilworth, county Cork.

The infection involves approximately 40 animals in a herd of 3050. The infection is thought to be the result of exposure to an infected farm worker who tended the pigs while ill with flu-like symptoms approximately 7 - 10 days prior to the initiation of clinical signs in the pigs. The worker was confirmed to have been exposed to the novel virus.

This finding is the second case of novel H1N1 virus in Irish pigs and makes Ireland the fourth country to confirm the infection in pigs. The other countries are Argentina, Canada and Australia.

Source: PigProgress.net, September 30, 2009