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Archive Number 20090828.3027
Published Date 28-AUG-2009
Subject PRO/AH> Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal health (06): Canada, swine

INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009, ANIMAL HEALTH (06): CANADA, SWINE
*****************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Mon 24 Aug 2009
Source: Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives [edited]
<http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/>


Ongoing surveillance for respiratory diseases in Manitoba swine herds has 
detected the novel pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in several herds, 
including sow barns, nursery barns, and feeder barns in various locations 
in the province.

The novel virus was first suspected in a sow barn when sows that had been 
vaccinated against common strains of influenza, began to exhibit 
influenza-like symptoms. Samples of from the herds in question were tested 
as positive for the novel H1N1 virus in Manitoba Agriculture's Veterinary 
Diagnostic Laboratory, and confirmed by the National Centre for Foreign 
Animal Disease in Winnipeg.

Further surveillance confirmed novel H1N1 diagnoses in several additional 
barns housing weanling and feeder pigs. Movement of pigs from these 
locations was immediately limited to prevent transmission of the virus to 
other swine herds. Biosecurity protocols, including the reminder to staff 
to wear their personal protective equipment properly, were enhanced to 
further protect both pigs and the workers in the barns.

In the herds where the virus has been detected the disease was very mild, 
with pigs showing only slight signs of respiratory illness -- mild cough 
and nasal discharge, depressed feed intake and rectal temperatures up to 
40.5 deg C [104.9 deg F]. No deaths have been reported in these herds. 
Animals were monitored by the herd veterinarian and recovered uneventfully 
within 4-7 days after onset of illness. The virus did infect piglets born 
to infected sows, and the virus subsequently moved through the production 
channels to nursery, feeder and finisher sites.

Manitoba's chief veterinary officer has sent letters to veterinarians to 
seek their cooperation in detecting and reporting signs of respiratory 
illness in swine. Letters have also been sent to pig producers encouraging 
the maintenance of strict biosecurity measures to safeguard the health of 
their herds and workers. Maintaining usual biosecurity safeguards will 
reduce the possibility of spread into the barn, and between barns.

In a recent policy statement, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the 
Council of Chief Veterinary Officers agreed that farms where pigs have been 
diagnosed with novel H1N1 do not require quarantine or eradication of the 
pigs. The novel virus does not behave any differently in pigs than other 
influenza viruses commonly detected in swine herds, and there is no 
evidence to indicate that animals play a significant role in the spread of 
the virus in the general human population.

-- 
communicated by:
Wayne Lees, DVM MSc
Chief Veterinary Officer
Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6
Canada
<wayne.lees@gov.mb.ca>

[We are grateful to Dr Lees for communicating with us the situation in the 
Manitoba swine. - Mod.TG

The province of Manitoba can be seen on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail 
interactive map of Canada at <http://healthmap.org/r/00av>. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal health: Canada (QC) 20090729.2661
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (15): Canada (AB) swine workers 20090723.2603
Influenza A virus, new - Canada: (SK) hog farm workers 20090708.2449
Influenza A (H1N1): animal health (13) swine, Canada, origin, RFI 
20090615.2215
Influenza A (H1N1): animal health (10) swine, Canada, cull 20090514.1813
Influenza A (H1N1): animal health (09), swine, Canada 20090513.1790
Influenza A (H1N1): animal health (07), swine, Canada, OIE 20090506.1691
Influenza A (H1N1): animal health (06), Canada, OIE 20090505.1683
Influenza A (H1N1): animal health (05), swine, Canada, FAO 20090505.1680
Influenza A (H1N1): animal health (04), infected swine, Canada 20090502.1653]

.................tg/mj/sh



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