Michigan: Swine flu confirmed in pigs at Fowlerville Family Fair

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has identified pigs at the Fowlerville Family Fair that have tested positive for swine flu. The Fowlerville Fair Board isolated infected pigs to avoid further exposure. Infected pigs began to show symptoms in the afternoon of Thursday, July 25, and lab results were confirmed late Friday afternoon. The fair was held from July 22nd to 27th. At that time, all pigs were removed from the fairground and no human disease was reported.

The Livingston County Health Department (LCHD), in coordination with the Fowlerville Fair Board and
Michigan State University Extension addresses exhibitors and their families who attended the Fowlerville Family Fair, who could have been in close contact with infected pigs. The LCHD is also asking health care providers in the area to monitor patients with respiratory symptoms and reporting exposure to pigs or visiting the pig stall. In addition, people who have attended the fair and have been exposed to pigs that are beginning to develop flu-like symptoms should contact LCHD.

Swine flu can spread quickly between pigs and, although rare, can be transmitted to humans by droplets in the air
when sick pigs cough or sneeze. The human symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and may include fever, cough, runny nose and sometimes body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Symptoms usually appear within three days of exposure, but can occur up to 10 days. Sometimes swine flu causes serious illness even in healthy people, such as pneumonia, which may require hospitalization.
Younger children are those at high risk of complications from swine flu
under five, people aged 65 and over, pregnant women and people with certain chronic diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune system and disorders neurological.

Currently, there is no vaccine against swine flu and the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu;
However, antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective in treating swine flu. These antivirals are only available on prescription from a health professional. Early treatment is more effective and may be particularly important for high risk individuals. People exposed to pigs at the fair who are starting to show symptoms should consult their health care provider and inform them of the possibility of an exposure.