The pigs are sick; Swine flu reported at Michigan fair

By Brian Ward

An familiar and unpleasant virus reared its head last week at the Oakland County Fair in Michigan, where several pigs tested positive for influenza A virus, the causative agent of swine flu. The fair took place at the Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg from July 7-16. The pigs showing symptoms on July 14, and the swine barn was closed that evening, according to a July 17 announcement by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Department of Health and Human Services.

“Fairgoers who visited the swine barn and develop respiratory symptoms are encouraged to talk to a health care provider and report potential exposure to infected swine,” said Dr. Russell Faust, Oakland County medical director. “Physicians are reminded to consider swine influenza in persons presenting with symptoms, even during the warmer months when seasonal influenza cases are low.”

There have been no reported human cases of swine flu in Michigan this year. Symptoms of swine flu in people are like seasonal flu and usually appear within three days of exposure. The disease gained notoriety in 2009, causing a global pandemic that resulted in 274,304 hospitalizations and 12,469 deaths in the U.S. in a single year.

People can’t get swine flu from eating properly prepared pork or handling pork products—only from contact with an ill pig.