What if my pigs get new variant flu?
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New variant flu: advice to pig-keepers
July 15 2009
How do I stop my pigs getting new variant flu?
Keeping new variant flu away from your pigs will become harder as autumn approaches and the level of infection increases in the human population. The task is all the more difficult because not everyone with new variant flu will display symptoms. Some people will have flu without knowing it.
Your first stop for advice on how to keep new variant flu away from your pigs should be your vet. In any case, please follow these general rules.
• Ban all unnecessary visitors from the unit.
• Make sure any equipment shared between premises is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before entry onto the premises and again on departure.
• Make sure any of your people who are in contact with pigs on other units take all the necessary precautions to prevent virus spread.
• Be alert for flu-like symptoms. Make sure any member of staff with flu-like symptoms does not come into contact with pigs.
How do I identify new variant flu in my pigs?
From today, be extra vigilant for any of these signs:
• Fever.
• Dullness and lethargy.
• Going off feed.
• Coughing and sneezing.
• Discharge from the eyes and nose.
• Eye redness or inflammation.
Clinical signs may appear very suddenly.
Pigs of all ages can be affected, although pigs with immunity from previous exposure to influenza, maternal immunity or vaccination often do not show symptoms.
Recovery generally takes five to seven days and the mortality rate is very low unless another infection is present and/or very young pigs are affected.
In severe cases, some pigs may have difficulty breathing, especially if they are forced to move.
What should I do if I think my pigs have new variant flu?
Talk to your vet. He or she can arrange for testing by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. If whole carcasses are submitted, the testing will be free if agency vets consider the case is suspicious for the disease. The rest of the post mortem costs are charged at the normal rate.
Vets can also submit samples taken on farm for diagnosis, and these can be tested for swine flu, free of charge. It is important these samples are taken carefully. Your vet can get further details from your regional Veterinary Laboratories Agency.
This advice is provided by Defra. More detailed advice will be available soon.