H1N1 Diagnosed at Alberta Farm

A worrisome discovery was made when 220 pigs at a 2,200 head unit were diagnosed with the same strain of H1N1 currently spreading through the world's human population. It appears that a farm worker who had recently returned to work after a trip to Mexico may have been the point source for the infection. While it is common that humans can infect pigs and pigs can infect humans with so-called common strains of H3N2 influenza virus, this movement between species gives the virus an opportunity to mutate along the way. This may make it more likely for this virus to become more virulent although this is not a given. Another concern would be for the virus to become seeded in swine populations, especially on smaller farms that may not have the level of biosecurity as larger operations.

The herd has been quarantined and all pigs are recovering or have recovered. The farm worker has recovered as well. Read the story here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jOCNS_KUIXJQ6YeBf31nkGFvTrNQ.