Further testing taking place to determine specific strain
The Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the health departments in Charles County and St. Mary’s County are investigating five cases of influenza in pigs recently exhibited at the Charles County Fair. Preliminary tests show that the pigs are infected with influenza A, but it is not yet known if this strain is potentially transmissible to humans. Additional testing and investigation is underway by the Department of Agriculture.
It is rare for influenza viruses that normally infect pigs – often called “swine flu” – to spread to people, but it is possible. Most commonly, human infections with swine flu occur in people who have been exposed to infected pigs (e.g., children handling pigs at agricultural fairs or workers in the swine industry). Limited human-to-human spread of swine flu has been detected previously, but no sustained or community spread has been identified. There have been 421 human cases of swine flu in the United States since 2005. Twenty cases have occurred in 2017, all in states other than Maryland.
All swine at the Charles County fairgrounds are under a quarantine order from the Department of Agriculture and will not be released until seven days after the last pig shows signs of influenza illness. Swine exhibits at the upcoming St. Mary’s County and Calvert County fairs have been cancelled by order of the Secretary of Agriculture. To report sick pigs, or if you have questions about pigs and influenza, please call the Department of Agriculture at 410-841-5810 or after hours at 410-841-5971.
Tips to protect yourself and others from the flu
The flu vaccine protects against many types of influenza. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all people over age 6 months get the flu vaccine every year. Other important steps people can take to protect themselves and others from all types of influenza include:
- Avoiding close contact with sick people;
- Limiting contact with others as much as possible if you are sick to keep from infecting them and stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities;
- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue immediately after use;
- Washing your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available;
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and
- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
People who are at high risk of serious flu complications, including children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions (like asthma and other lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions) should avoid pigs and swine barns. Other people who may have exposure to pigs, such as through an agricultural fair, should take the following protective measures:
- Do not eat, drink or put anything in your mouth in pig areas;
- Do not take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers, or similar items into pig areas;
- Avoid close contact with pigs that look or act ill;
- Wear personal protective equipment if you are required to have contact with a pig that is known or suspected to be sick;
- Wash your hands often with soap and running water or alcohol-based hand rub before and after Exposure to pigs;
- Minimize contact with pigs in the pig barn and arenas;
- If you have a pig, watch it for signs of illness and call a veterinarian if you suspect illness; and
- Avoid contact with pigs if you have flu symptoms.
Additional Resources:
- Health overview of flu facts, the Maryland 2016-2017 Influenza Plan, and other flu-related resources: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/IMMUN/Pages/influenza.aspx
- USDA APHIS swine disease information: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/swine-disease-information
- CDC information about swine flu, including key facts and details on past cases: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/index.htm.
- CDC guidance for people attending agricultural fairs or other settings where swine might be present: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/variant/preventspreadfactsheet.htm.
- CDC information about influenza, including prevention recommendations, surveillance data, and other facts: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm.
- World Animal Health Organization (OIE) information: http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/Media_Center/docs/pdf/Disease_cards/SI-EN.pdf
- Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Order to Prevent the Spread of Swine Influenza: http://mda.maryland.gov/AnimalHealth/Documents/2017SwineFluOrder.pdf
