World animal health body says swine flu wrong name
Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:23pm IST
PARIS (Reuters) - The flu virus spreading around the world should not be called "swine flu" as it also contains avian and human components and no pig was found ill with the disease so far, the World Animal Health body said on Monday.
A more logical name for it would be "North-American influenza," a name based on its geographic origin just like the Spanish influenza, another human flu pandemic with animal origin that killed more than 50 million people in 1918-1919.
"The virus has not been isolated in animals to date. Therefore it is not justified to name this disease swine influenza," the Paris-based organization said in a statement. Read More
Not only can you not get the flu from eating pork, but this flu outbreak that we are dealing with really has nothing to do with swine. It's important for people involved with agriculture and particularly livestock to be aware of information like this. Take any opportunities to share this with our consumers.
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