Switzerland - WHO on swine flu

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) sees no need to impose tests or other restrictions on international swine trade. The reason is that  the only transmission of the 2009 Novel H1N1 influenza virus  that has taken place is from humans to pigs and not vice versa, according to a Meatingplace.com report.



"(2009 Novel H1N1) virus infections in pigs and other susceptible animals were assessed as probable from the very first days after the virus was detected in humans,” said Bernard Vallat, OIE director general, said in a statement on the OIE Web site. “So, it does not come as a surprise that notifications of infection in new animals species are received; on the contrary it demonstrates animal disease surveillance is efficient and functioning to the benefit of all.”



The statement went on to say, "So far, no evidence has suggested that animals play any particular role in the epidemiology or the spread of the pandemic H1N1 2009 virus among humans. The OIE said that for this reason, it considers it sufficient to certify the healthy state of animals and maintains its position that no specific measures are required for international trade in live pigs.

Source: oie.com

Back to News Headlines