H1N1 INFORMATION
The recent outbreak of the H1N1 flu has raised many questions from producers, consumers and the general public. This page provides links to appropriate sources of information and resources of materials, charts, news postings and more. Links on this page are added and updated as they become available. Many of the linked sites are updated at least daily.
Recommendations from CDC for swine farm workers (11/09)
Q&A from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Q: What is 2009 H1N1?
A: 2009 H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was under way.
Q: Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu?"
A: This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.
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July 24, 2009. The first known victim of H1N1 influenza has been identified. Celia Alpuche of the Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference in Mexico City says the then six-month-old girl (who is alive) had no known contact with pig farms. Read the article describing the finding on the Times Online Web site.
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization declared that the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met, and in this statement, declared the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic.
If you have questions not addressed here or answered through the posted links, please ask us.
Mail: Iowa Pork Industry Center, 109 Kildee Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3150
E-mail: Influenza questions
Phone: (800) 808-7675 (Iowa only) OR (515) 294-4103.
General information
American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) main page
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC other informational pages
FAZD (Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence)
FAZD -- National Center for Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Defense (H1N1 Web portal)FAZD -- Review of recent scientific literature related to 2009 H1N1 human Influenza outbreak
Iowa Department of Public Health
Iowa Pork Producers Association
Iowa State University
- General influenza page, including bios and contact info of ISU experts
- College of Veterinary Medicine main page
- Information on identification of H1N1 virus, James McKean release
- Market for pork products reacts to H1N1, John Lawrence release
- Market for pork products reacts to H1N1, John Lawrence audio interview (mp3)
- Parks Library main page
- Practice good personal hygiene, Sam Beattie release
- Practice good personal hygiene, Sam Beattie audio interview (mp3)
- IPIC associate director James McKean audio interview (mp3)
National Pork Board
- National Pork Board H1N1 page
- News release on appropriate name of flu
- Initial statement on flu
- Influenza: Pigs, People and Public Health factsheet (pdf)
National Pork Producers Council
North American Influenza (suggested name from World Organisation for Animal Health)
University of Minnesota Pork
Producer Update: H1N1Influenza (Webcast, speaker begins
at 1:50)
USDA FAQ
World Health Organization
Animal health and testing
- Help prevent transmission to pigs ISU Extension swine veterinarian James McKean
- General prevention practices for swine producers, Center for Food Security & Public Health (pdf)
- ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory sample submission information
- AASV recommendations for producers
