Preventing flu transmission from humans to pigs

Beyond nutrition and starting with a healthy pig, employees can have a marked impact on the success of controlling influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S).

Marie Culhane, DVM, PhD, associate professor at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, pointed to the challenges of staying ahead of a constantly evolving virus and slowing transmission from humans to pigs.

“One of the factors that drives influenza change is continuous introduction of virus from humans into pigs,” she said. “We want to not only vaccinate pigs but also have good biosecurity and hygiene protocols, such as asking employees to wear gloves and masks when having contact with pigs.”

Pointing to a test approved by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as well as a non-CLIA test for influenza A, Culhane stressed the need for on-site influenza testing for employees.

“On our farms we would use the non-CLIA tests,” she said. “Ideally, to test for influenza A in humans, we would have to partner with public health, but there are people who do want to partner with us.”….

Read the rest of this article and download our Integrated flu management: New strategies for control special report.