"North American Flu" Update

The following is the latest update on the H1N1 influenza outbreak:

• As of the 1:00pm EDT update, CDC is confirming 40 cases in 5 states (CA, TX, KS, OH & NY). None have any reported direct contact with swine. The outbreak continues to be transmitted human to human.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus has been confirmed in 4 countries -- Mexico, U.S., Canada and Spain.
• The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is recommending that a more appropriate name for the virus would be "North-American influenza" since there has been no evidence of animal involvement.
• National diagnostic laboratories have received the virus isolated from cases in California and are beginning work to investigate questions associated with: diagnostic testing, swine susceptibility, transmission and pathogenesis, vaccine efficacy, etc.
• They have already determined that the current matrix test available in the National Animal Health Lab Network (NAHLN) labs will detect this virus, but a differential test is still being developed. Serology will be of limited value since the HA component of this virus is common in normal circulating SIV.
• 5 countries (Russia, China, Philippines, Serbia & Kazakhstan) have announced bans on some pork imports from the U.S. and Mexico while the WHO confirms that pork is safe to eat.
• Market hog prices were down the limit today.