USDA Issues SIV Statement and Requests Case Reports

April 26, 2009 — 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued a statement expressing his concern regarding the recent swine influenza outbreak and reassured the public that pork continues to be safe to eat.

In his http://www.usda.gov/2009/04/0130.xml statement, Secretary Vilsack states that "swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all viruses and other foodborne pathogens." The virus is not known to be present in the U.S. swine herd.

In an effort to monitor animal health, Dr. John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, USDA, APHIS, VS issued a request to all state veterinarians and Area Veterinarians in Charge (AVIC) to report any cases of Swine Influenza identified in their state now and in the coming days to their Veterinary Services Regional Office as promptly as possible. Dr. Clifford requested that any past or on-going cases be reported no later than close of business on April 27, 2009.

Visit the AASV homepage for information on the swine influenza situation. There you will find some key points for veterinarians, background information on SIV and producer recommendations as well as the complete text of Sec. Vilsack's statement.