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Swine Influenza Surveillance Update

The USDA implemented a voluntary swine influenza surveillance program on May 22, 2009. The program analyzes samples submitted to National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) labs for the presence of influenza viruses. Diagnostic samples are subjected to a variety of tests to confirm the presence of influenza virus and differentiate the particular strain involved.

Since initiation of the surveillance program, 325 samples have been submitted to 25 NAHLN laboratories. The following tests have been conducted:

  • 325 SIV Matrix PCR assays
  • 52 N1 PCR assays
  • 41 virus isolations
  • 16 sequence determinations
  • Samples are submitted to National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for confirmation. To date, three sets of samples, totaling 12 individual samples, have been confirmed positive for pH1N1 through the National Surveillance Plan for Swine Influenza Virus. These represented facilities in Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina.

Animal and public health officials continue to stress that pork products are safe to eat and that people cannot become infected by handling pork products.

According to USDA, in addition to swine, the pH1N1 virus has been confirmed by the NVSL in ferrets, cats, dogs, turkeys and a cheetah and in additional states including Oregon, Iowa, Pennsylvania, California and Virginia.