Hard-boiled animal activists could threaten vaccine supply
By: David Martosko
Newspaper: Cleveland Plain Dealer
In the post-9/11 world, the phrase "national security" conjures up images of dirty bombs, jihadists, white powder and biohazard labels. It should also bring to mind another picture: an egg.
As we enter flu season, scientists and public health officials are ramping up efforts to combat the expected rise in cases of H1N1 flu. Hospitals, doctors' offices and clinics started receiving the vaccine earlier this month, but so far it's only available in limited quantities and will have to be allocated piecemeal across the country. And some experts predict that the H1N1 epidemic will peak before the majority of vaccine doses can be produced.
The most common method of making flu vaccines requires chicken eggs to incubate viral strains. It takes three eggs to produce a single dose of H1N1 flu vaccine. Vaccination of every American would require more than 920 million eggs.
If that sounds like a big number to you, try asking a chicken farmer. Thankfully, America's modern agriculture system makes production on that scale possible. For now.
If the latest fad of animal-rights activism continues, however, our capacity to produce eggs -- and vaccines -- may be threatened.
What do animal rights activists have to do with the flu? Lobbying by these groups has the potential to diminish our domestic "egg security" by driving egg farmers out of business -- or at least out of the United States. Read More
It’s amazing to that so many people don’t realize how agriculture affects their lives. Once again, with the threat of H1N1 sweeping across the country, agriculture has supplied the materials needed to protect ourselves. As a society, if we were to abolish animal agriculture as some groups like the Humane Society of the United States are trying to accomplish, we would suffer greatly on a variety of fronts. The resources that animal agriculture provides are irreplaceable.
Showing posts with label H1N1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label H1N1. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
PETA Billboard Suggests H1N1 From Eating Pork
PETA rapped over swine flu fear mongering
Wed, 14 Oct 2009 By Russell Parsons
A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaign has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for spreading “undue fear and distress” about swine flu.
The watchdog ruled some readers might infer that eating meat caused swine flu because the disease stood out more than the others and sat next to the statement on meat and vegetarianism. Read More
Wed, 14 Oct 2009 By Russell Parsons
A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaign has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for spreading “undue fear and distress” about swine flu.
The ad states “meat kills” in large letters next to a list of diseases with swine flu more prominently featured than others including e.coli and mad cow. The end line reads: “Go Vegetarian. PETA”.
The watchdog ruled some readers might infer that eating meat caused swine flu because the disease stood out more than the others and sat next to the statement on meat and vegetarianism. Read More
Since PETA’s views and ideas can’t stand on their own in society, they have to blatantly lie to the public to garner support. This billboard suggests that eating pork will give you H1N1 and probably kill you. Along with that, eating any type of meat will kill you according to their message. Thankfully it has been rejected by British officials because it is so blatantly misleading. However, they will continue to produce these outlandish ads which is why those of us in agriculture must continue to be vigilant in telling the true story of ag.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Vilsack Urges Media To Get It Right
Vilsack admonishes media for misrepresenting flu virus
Sep 11, 2009 9:32 AM, By Dale Miller, Editor, National Hog Farmer
"I want folks who are in the business of conveying information to understand that behind that message there is a family sitting at a breakfast table wondering how in the hell they are going to pay the bills, when they continually have to sell pork for less than what it costs to produce as they continue to get hammered for something that they had absolutely nothing to do with."
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack held a press conference Sept. 10 with the intended purpose of explaining the USDA’s preparedness to handle the potential onset H1N1 influenza this fall.
As the 30-minute media briefing drew on, the secretary’s exasperation with the general media’s persistent misrepresentation of the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus as “swine flu” became apparent.
“As you know, since last spring and the onset of the H1N1 outbreak in humans, USDA has consistently asked those in the media who convey information to consumers and to citizens to be careful about what they call this virus. We would ask, respectfully, that the media give serious consideration to transitioning from what they have been doing — which is to call this (virus) the swine flu, incorrectly, to considering using H1N1 as the appropriate name for this virus.”
“It is not swine flu,” he admonished. “It’s just not correct to call it that. It‘s a novel virus and the most appropriate and correct way to refer to it is 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus This may seem difficult or silly to some people — but it’s not if you’re out there trying to make a living and taking care of your family.” Read More
Since many in the media seem to be more concerned about causing a panic among the public, it should be no surprise that they have been reluctant to use the correct name of the virus. It should be more important to them to be accurate with their information, but sadly it isn’t and it is affecting America’s family hog farmers. Getting the media to change the name they use has been a big job but many gains have been made and it’s been due to the efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers. The work isn’t done however, so remind people, whenever you get the chance, to use the accurate name of H1N1 virus.
Sep 11, 2009 9:32 AM, By Dale Miller, Editor, National Hog Farmer
"I want folks who are in the business of conveying information to understand that behind that message there is a family sitting at a breakfast table wondering how in the hell they are going to pay the bills, when they continually have to sell pork for less than what it costs to produce as they continue to get hammered for something that they had absolutely nothing to do with."
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack held a press conference Sept. 10 with the intended purpose of explaining the USDA’s preparedness to handle the potential onset H1N1 influenza this fall.
As the 30-minute media briefing drew on, the secretary’s exasperation with the general media’s persistent misrepresentation of the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus as “swine flu” became apparent.
“As you know, since last spring and the onset of the H1N1 outbreak in humans, USDA has consistently asked those in the media who convey information to consumers and to citizens to be careful about what they call this virus. We would ask, respectfully, that the media give serious consideration to transitioning from what they have been doing — which is to call this (virus) the swine flu, incorrectly, to considering using H1N1 as the appropriate name for this virus.”
“It is not swine flu,” he admonished. “It’s just not correct to call it that. It‘s a novel virus and the most appropriate and correct way to refer to it is 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus This may seem difficult or silly to some people — but it’s not if you’re out there trying to make a living and taking care of your family.” Read More
Since many in the media seem to be more concerned about causing a panic among the public, it should be no surprise that they have been reluctant to use the correct name of the virus. It should be more important to them to be accurate with their information, but sadly it isn’t and it is affecting America’s family hog farmers. Getting the media to change the name they use has been a big job but many gains have been made and it’s been due to the efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers. The work isn’t done however, so remind people, whenever you get the chance, to use the accurate name of H1N1 virus.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Misconceptions About H1N1
Baxter Black: You won't catch the flu from pulled pork
Baxter Black
When the Asian flu hit the country in 2003, were people warned to stay away from Chinese restaurants and Japanese cars? When the West Nile virus was diagnosed in humans, did the Health Department tell us to avoid going to Egypt? How 'bout smallpox? Were dwarf warnings posted? Does riding Tennessee walkers give you a charley horse? Do you catch the swine flu by eating barbecued spare ribs?
The answer to all those questions is "no."
So why has the demand for pork in supermarkets and restaurants plummeted? Because it is easy for a logical but simple mind to say, "I've got the blues. I better quit eating blueberries!"
Just connect the dots, they think. It's easy to explain to a child that the tooth fairy gives them teeth, the stork gives them a little sister and smoking regular instead of king size will stunt their growth.
Truly, somewhere, sometime in a land far, far away, a human may have contracted the virus from a pig. But how many people that have been subsequently diagnosed with swine flu have been within 10 miles of a pig in the last 10 days or 10 years? Read More
As crazy as it sounds, there are still people out there that have reservations about eating pork because of the H1N1 flu virus which was incorrectly named the swine flu. While the idea that the name of a virus can impact your family’s livelihood, that is exactly the case for many swine producers today. Our consumers today do not have enough experience with food production to make sound decisions about issues like this. And, no one is going to teach them if we don’t. It’s important that everyone take the everyday opportunities we have to teach about agriculture.
Baxter Black
When the Asian flu hit the country in 2003, were people warned to stay away from Chinese restaurants and Japanese cars? When the West Nile virus was diagnosed in humans, did the Health Department tell us to avoid going to Egypt? How 'bout smallpox? Were dwarf warnings posted? Does riding Tennessee walkers give you a charley horse? Do you catch the swine flu by eating barbecued spare ribs?
The answer to all those questions is "no."
So why has the demand for pork in supermarkets and restaurants plummeted? Because it is easy for a logical but simple mind to say, "I've got the blues. I better quit eating blueberries!"
Just connect the dots, they think. It's easy to explain to a child that the tooth fairy gives them teeth, the stork gives them a little sister and smoking regular instead of king size will stunt their growth.
Truly, somewhere, sometime in a land far, far away, a human may have contracted the virus from a pig. But how many people that have been subsequently diagnosed with swine flu have been within 10 miles of a pig in the last 10 days or 10 years? Read More
As crazy as it sounds, there are still people out there that have reservations about eating pork because of the H1N1 flu virus which was incorrectly named the swine flu. While the idea that the name of a virus can impact your family’s livelihood, that is exactly the case for many swine producers today. Our consumers today do not have enough experience with food production to make sound decisions about issues like this. And, no one is going to teach them if we don’t. It’s important that everyone take the everyday opportunities we have to teach about agriculture.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Flu Infected Herd Destroyed
Hog farmer destroys herd quarantined for swine flu
Andrea Sands, Canwest News Service
EDMONTON -- The Alberta hog farmer whose herd was quarantined after the animals were infected with swine flu has culled his entire herd, says a news release from Alberta Pork.
Arnold Van Ginkel said in the release Sunday he made the business decision because he couldn't sell the pigs, even though the animals were safe to eat. The quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency meant no animals from the farm could be marketed until testing showed the virus was gone and all the animals were healthy, the release said.
"I am disappointed that I have to cull these animals, but the presence of the Type A H1N1 virus in my herd left me with few options," said Van Ginkel, who had more than 2,000 pigs on his farm near Rocky Mountain House, west of Red Deer.
"With the quarantine still in place, I was facing another partial cull due to overcrowding and no prospects for marketing my animals once they were given a clean bill of health. The only real option left was to have a complete cull and end the uncertainty for my farm and for the entire pork industry." Read More
This is an unfortunate end to an unfortunate situation. Because of the unfounded fears over H1N1 and livestock, Van Ginkel would have never been able to market these animals. For the industry, this was the most responsible thing to have happen. Hopefully this farm family can recover from the financial and emotional hardship this has caused.
Andrea Sands, Canwest News Service
EDMONTON -- The Alberta hog farmer whose herd was quarantined after the animals were infected with swine flu has culled his entire herd, says a news release from Alberta Pork.
Arnold Van Ginkel said in the release Sunday he made the business decision because he couldn't sell the pigs, even though the animals were safe to eat. The quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency meant no animals from the farm could be marketed until testing showed the virus was gone and all the animals were healthy, the release said.
"I am disappointed that I have to cull these animals, but the presence of the Type A H1N1 virus in my herd left me with few options," said Van Ginkel, who had more than 2,000 pigs on his farm near Rocky Mountain House, west of Red Deer.
"With the quarantine still in place, I was facing another partial cull due to overcrowding and no prospects for marketing my animals once they were given a clean bill of health. The only real option left was to have a complete cull and end the uncertainty for my farm and for the entire pork industry." Read More
This is an unfortunate end to an unfortunate situation. Because of the unfounded fears over H1N1 and livestock, Van Ginkel would have never been able to market these animals. For the industry, this was the most responsible thing to have happen. Hopefully this farm family can recover from the financial and emotional hardship this has caused.
Fear, Not Flu, Kills Pigs
Flu fear robs Cairo slum of its mainstay
Government culls swine raised by trash collectors
By Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times June 7, 2009
CAIRO - A bent man walks with a sack of garbage draped over him, hiding all but his legs as he lopes up the hill toward women and children with quick hands and shrewd eyes for spotting things of value.
Trash trailing off him, he teeters around a corner and disappears into a parade of bent men. Sacks drop and flies gather in dark, humming whirls. Hands scrape plastic and rip cardboard, but a sound is missing.
The squeal is gone.
Pigs are not to blame for the so-called swine flu, which in any case has not been found in this hilltop slum, but trucks flanked by armed police have come anyway and hauled away the pigs. Raised by Coptic Christian garbage collectors who fattened them with trash and sold them to non-Muslim butchers, the animals were among the 300,000 pigs the government ordered corralled and culled. Their silence means that what scant prosperity there was amid these cliffs has vanished.
"How will I feed my children now? I've lost 70 percent of my income," says Ramzi Shawki, whose 120 pigs lived in a pen next to his house until they were driven away, slaughtered, and buried in trenches. "Our pigs are not sick. I can hold them in my arms. I'm 41 years old. I was born into collecting garbage and raising pigs. I've never been infected. But whoever doesn't give up their pigs gets arrested."
"The government gave me 2,500 pounds for my animals," about $450, says Shawki, "but they were worth 18,000 pounds." Read More
The panic that followed the outbreak of H1N1 was incredible. Making the matters worse were animal rights groups like the Humane Society of the United States who fanned the flames of this panic and tried to tell people that farmers were to blame for the problem and that eating pork was only ”probably” safe. Talk like this caused other countries to ban imports of our pork. Even worse, it led Egypt to the mass wasteful killing of 300,000 pigs and destroyed the livelihood of many people. If HSUS truly cared about animals you would think they wouldn’t contribute to the deaths of so many of the.
Government culls swine raised by trash collectors
By Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times June 7, 2009
CAIRO - A bent man walks with a sack of garbage draped over him, hiding all but his legs as he lopes up the hill toward women and children with quick hands and shrewd eyes for spotting things of value.
Trash trailing off him, he teeters around a corner and disappears into a parade of bent men. Sacks drop and flies gather in dark, humming whirls. Hands scrape plastic and rip cardboard, but a sound is missing.
The squeal is gone.
Pigs are not to blame for the so-called swine flu, which in any case has not been found in this hilltop slum, but trucks flanked by armed police have come anyway and hauled away the pigs. Raised by Coptic Christian garbage collectors who fattened them with trash and sold them to non-Muslim butchers, the animals were among the 300,000 pigs the government ordered corralled and culled. Their silence means that what scant prosperity there was amid these cliffs has vanished.
"How will I feed my children now? I've lost 70 percent of my income," says Ramzi Shawki, whose 120 pigs lived in a pen next to his house until they were driven away, slaughtered, and buried in trenches. "Our pigs are not sick. I can hold them in my arms. I'm 41 years old. I was born into collecting garbage and raising pigs. I've never been infected. But whoever doesn't give up their pigs gets arrested."
"The government gave me 2,500 pounds for my animals," about $450, says Shawki, "but they were worth 18,000 pounds." Read More
The panic that followed the outbreak of H1N1 was incredible. Making the matters worse were animal rights groups like the Humane Society of the United States who fanned the flames of this panic and tried to tell people that farmers were to blame for the problem and that eating pork was only ”probably” safe. Talk like this caused other countries to ban imports of our pork. Even worse, it led Egypt to the mass wasteful killing of 300,000 pigs and destroyed the livelihood of many people. If HSUS truly cared about animals you would think they wouldn’t contribute to the deaths of so many of the.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Protecting Our Pigs
Humans Cause More Concern at World Pork Expo than the Pigs
06/03/2009
H1N1 is also responsible for some changes at World Pork Expo. Nineteen-hundred hogs and pigs entering the Iowa State Fairgrounds before the Wednesday opening had to be inspected and confirmed as disease free. The H1N1 scare last month prompted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to recommend additional monitoring of animal health at major animal events - including fairs, major sales and exhibitions like the Expo. But since the virus can be borne from humans to animals, Iowa veterinarian Shawn Nicholson is more worried about humans making the pigs sick, with 71 confirmed H1N1 cases in Iowa. No pigs in the U.S. have been reported with the virus.
This year - for the first time - the Expo has stands with hand wipes installed in the animal barns - and visitors will receive hand wipes at the front gates. As for the animals – a veterinarian will inspect each one and producers must provide veterinary records to verify the pig is virus-free. Nicholson says vets will look for signs of respiratory problems - like coughing and hacking - as well as skin lesions. The veterinarians will also walk through pens throughout the show. Link
We have all seen images of people walking down the street shortly after the H1N1 outbreak wearing masks over the faces. The fact is that our pigs are the ones that we need to be concerned about. Livestock producers always take precautions to protect the health of their herd. But these days, our pork producers need to take extra steps to protect their pigs, and our food supply, from H1N1. This level of care is a great example of the commitment our farmers and ranchers have.
06/03/2009
H1N1 is also responsible for some changes at World Pork Expo. Nineteen-hundred hogs and pigs entering the Iowa State Fairgrounds before the Wednesday opening had to be inspected and confirmed as disease free. The H1N1 scare last month prompted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to recommend additional monitoring of animal health at major animal events - including fairs, major sales and exhibitions like the Expo. But since the virus can be borne from humans to animals, Iowa veterinarian Shawn Nicholson is more worried about humans making the pigs sick, with 71 confirmed H1N1 cases in Iowa. No pigs in the U.S. have been reported with the virus.
This year - for the first time - the Expo has stands with hand wipes installed in the animal barns - and visitors will receive hand wipes at the front gates. As for the animals – a veterinarian will inspect each one and producers must provide veterinary records to verify the pig is virus-free. Nicholson says vets will look for signs of respiratory problems - like coughing and hacking - as well as skin lesions. The veterinarians will also walk through pens throughout the show. Link
We have all seen images of people walking down the street shortly after the H1N1 outbreak wearing masks over the faces. The fact is that our pigs are the ones that we need to be concerned about. Livestock producers always take precautions to protect the health of their herd. But these days, our pork producers need to take extra steps to protect their pigs, and our food supply, from H1N1. This level of care is a great example of the commitment our farmers and ranchers have.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Fear, Misunderstanding of H1N1 Continues
Online campaigners seize on swine flu in pig farm petition
GENEVA (AFP) — Online campaigners delivered a petition with 225,000 signatures to the World Health Organisation Wednesday to protest at industrial farming methods they blame for increasing the risk of diseases like swine flu.
With the help of about 100 cardboard cutout pigs, the online citizen's movement Avaaz, or "voice", called on the WHO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to ensure factory farming meets public health standards.
The group's campaign was prompted by the controversy surrounding an industrial scale pig farm near the Mexican village of La Gloria, where some of the first cases of A(H1N1) influenza were reported.
Avaaz Campaign Director Ricken Patel said: "There have been warnings for years that these dirty warehouses crammed with pigs are increasing the risk of development and transmission of disease epidemics." Read More
Anti-animal agriculture groups continue to use the fear and misunderstanding over the H1N1 virus to attack livestock production. Even though there is absolutely no tie between any type of production system and this virus, these groups continue to link them. There is no excuse for this behavior and in my mind it’s the equivalent yelling fire in a crowded theatre. If your cause is reliant on using fear, rather than the truth to accomplish it’s goals, then probably you should find a new cause to advocate.
GENEVA (AFP) — Online campaigners delivered a petition with 225,000 signatures to the World Health Organisation Wednesday to protest at industrial farming methods they blame for increasing the risk of diseases like swine flu.
With the help of about 100 cardboard cutout pigs, the online citizen's movement Avaaz, or "voice", called on the WHO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to ensure factory farming meets public health standards.
The group's campaign was prompted by the controversy surrounding an industrial scale pig farm near the Mexican village of La Gloria, where some of the first cases of A(H1N1) influenza were reported.
Avaaz Campaign Director Ricken Patel said: "There have been warnings for years that these dirty warehouses crammed with pigs are increasing the risk of development and transmission of disease epidemics." Read More
Anti-animal agriculture groups continue to use the fear and misunderstanding over the H1N1 virus to attack livestock production. Even though there is absolutely no tie between any type of production system and this virus, these groups continue to link them. There is no excuse for this behavior and in my mind it’s the equivalent yelling fire in a crowded theatre. If your cause is reliant on using fear, rather than the truth to accomplish it’s goals, then probably you should find a new cause to advocate.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Blame Those Who Blamed Pigs
Egypt criticized for 'inhumane' killing of pigs
By MAAMOUN YOUSSEF – 1 day ago
CAIRO (AP) — A leading animal rights group criticized Egypt on Monday for using "shocking and cruel" methods to slaughter the country's pigs over swine flu fears, responding to a YouTube video that showed men skewering squealing piglets with large kitchen knives and hitting others with crowbars.
The controversy was the latest swirling around Egypt's decision to kill all the country's 300,000 pigs out of concerns they will spread swine flu. But the World Health Organization has said it is entirely unnecessary because the illness is being spread through humans.
The government decision also brought accusations that Muslims are attacking minority Christians, who breed the animals. Most Muslims consider pigs unclean and do not eat pork.
The latest troubles started after the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper posted the video showing men standing in the backs of trucks, killing pigs with knives and crowbars and tossing them in front of a bulldozer. The piles of bleeding bodies, some of them still moving, were then transferred to larger trucks, which took them to the desert to be buried in Qalyoubiya province, some 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Cairo. Read More
The responsibility for the deaths of these pigs should fall squarely on the shoulders of the animal rights groups that advanced the theory that pigs were to blame for the flu. For a solid week or two, animal rights groups and the media desperately tried to tie the H1N1 virus to pigs and pig farming. This led to panic in countries like Egypt who irrationally order the destruction of their pig population. Animal rights groups have a goal to put livestock producers out of business by any means necessary. This is what happens when they get their wish.
By MAAMOUN YOUSSEF – 1 day ago
CAIRO (AP) — A leading animal rights group criticized Egypt on Monday for using "shocking and cruel" methods to slaughter the country's pigs over swine flu fears, responding to a YouTube video that showed men skewering squealing piglets with large kitchen knives and hitting others with crowbars.
The controversy was the latest swirling around Egypt's decision to kill all the country's 300,000 pigs out of concerns they will spread swine flu. But the World Health Organization has said it is entirely unnecessary because the illness is being spread through humans.
The government decision also brought accusations that Muslims are attacking minority Christians, who breed the animals. Most Muslims consider pigs unclean and do not eat pork.
The latest troubles started after the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper posted the video showing men standing in the backs of trucks, killing pigs with knives and crowbars and tossing them in front of a bulldozer. The piles of bleeding bodies, some of them still moving, were then transferred to larger trucks, which took them to the desert to be buried in Qalyoubiya province, some 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Cairo. Read More
The responsibility for the deaths of these pigs should fall squarely on the shoulders of the animal rights groups that advanced the theory that pigs were to blame for the flu. For a solid week or two, animal rights groups and the media desperately tried to tie the H1N1 virus to pigs and pig farming. This led to panic in countries like Egypt who irrationally order the destruction of their pig population. Animal rights groups have a goal to put livestock producers out of business by any means necessary. This is what happens when they get their wish.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Flu Death Lawsuit
Husband of Swine Flu Victim Sues US Pig Farmer Smithfield Foods for Wrongful Death
Posted by Camryn HansenWednesday, May 13, 2009 8:12 PM EST
The husband of 33 year-old Judy Trunnell, the first US resident to die from the swine flu, or H1N1 virus, has filed a lawsuit against the Smithfield Foods, the American owner of the Mexican pig farm thought to be the virus’ birthplace.
Contradicting health officials’ reports that Trunnell had “chronic” health problems which contributed to her death, Trunnell’s husband Steven claims she was always in excellent health. She had delivered a baby girl by C-section only a few days before her May 5 death, after being admitted to the hospital with flu symptoms and slipping into a coma shortly afterward.
The petition filed Monday in state district court in Cameron County seeks permission to conduct depositions for a possible wrongful death claim against the $12 billion company. Read More
This is obviously a very tragic situation. None of us can imagine what this man is going through right now. However, this seems like an incredibly far-fetched claim, especially given the fact that 30,000 people die from the flu every year in this country. The panic and fear that the media spread about H1N1 was hard to believe. If this virus had been properly named in the first place I doubt that Smithfield would be getting sued right now.
Posted by Camryn HansenWednesday, May 13, 2009 8:12 PM EST
The husband of 33 year-old Judy Trunnell, the first US resident to die from the swine flu, or H1N1 virus, has filed a lawsuit against the Smithfield Foods, the American owner of the Mexican pig farm thought to be the virus’ birthplace.
Contradicting health officials’ reports that Trunnell had “chronic” health problems which contributed to her death, Trunnell’s husband Steven claims she was always in excellent health. She had delivered a baby girl by C-section only a few days before her May 5 death, after being admitted to the hospital with flu symptoms and slipping into a coma shortly afterward.
The petition filed Monday in state district court in Cameron County seeks permission to conduct depositions for a possible wrongful death claim against the $12 billion company. Read More
This is obviously a very tragic situation. None of us can imagine what this man is going through right now. However, this seems like an incredibly far-fetched claim, especially given the fact that 30,000 people die from the flu every year in this country. The panic and fear that the media spread about H1N1 was hard to believe. If this virus had been properly named in the first place I doubt that Smithfield would be getting sued right now.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Leading by Example
Students learn they can’t get swine flu from eating pork
AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer
JAMESTOWN, OH — The recent outbreak of the swine flu turned into a “teachable moment” and a delicious treat for some Greeneview High School students Friday.
Craig Corry, who teaches agriculture at the school, organized the “Salute the Pig — Stick it to the Swine Flu Barbecue” to educate his students about the fact that you can’t get the swine flu from eating pork.
“The idea came from the fact that some of the students had concerns about catching H1N1 from eating pork products,” Corry said.“We want to get the word out that pork products are fine to eat,” Corry said. “It’s been a big financial issue for some families, and we need to get education and positive information out there.”
“Anytime you give the consumer a doubt, it affects the bottom line,” said Janelle Mead of the Ohio Farm Bureau, who sponsored the event and provided the tasty pork loins.
Corry told his students that the care, quality and inspection standards in the United States are better than anywhere else in the world and that pork is safe to eat if cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.
“This is great,” said sophomore Wayne Harlow, who was on his second pork sandwich. “You can’t get swine flu from eating pork, but pork is delicious and you should keep eating it.” Link
AARON KEITH HARRIS Staff Writer
JAMESTOWN, OH — The recent outbreak of the swine flu turned into a “teachable moment” and a delicious treat for some Greeneview High School students Friday.
Craig Corry, who teaches agriculture at the school, organized the “Salute the Pig — Stick it to the Swine Flu Barbecue” to educate his students about the fact that you can’t get the swine flu from eating pork.
“The idea came from the fact that some of the students had concerns about catching H1N1 from eating pork products,” Corry said.“We want to get the word out that pork products are fine to eat,” Corry said. “It’s been a big financial issue for some families, and we need to get education and positive information out there.”
“Anytime you give the consumer a doubt, it affects the bottom line,” said Janelle Mead of the Ohio Farm Bureau, who sponsored the event and provided the tasty pork loins.
Corry told his students that the care, quality and inspection standards in the United States are better than anywhere else in the world and that pork is safe to eat if cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.
“This is great,” said sophomore Wayne Harlow, who was on his second pork sandwich. “You can’t get swine flu from eating pork, but pork is delicious and you should keep eating it.” Link
Friday, May 8, 2009
Assistance for Pork Industry
USDA may help ailing pork industry hit by H1N1
Thu May 7, 2009 2:23pm EDT
By Christopher Doering
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. pork industry, battered by import bans by nearly two dozen countries worried about the H1N1 flu outbreak, could soon receive some help from the government, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday.
"Clearly pork producers have suffered and will continue to do so until we get this turned around," Vilsack told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee. "We are looking at ways we can be of assistance or help," he said.
Vilsack did not go into details on what type of aid the industry might receive or when it would occur.
In a letter to the USDA earlier this week, the National Pork Producers Council said low prices have compounded a slump in the pork industry. It suggested USDA buy $50 million in pork products for donation to food pantries and hunger relief to bolster hog prices. Read More
Because consumers really don’t understand where their food comes from or how it is produced, issues like having a flu virus named after a farm animal are doomed to continue haunting agriculture. That is unless all of us take everyday opportunities to educate people about agriculture. Sometimes its easy to think we don’t have time to promote ag, but look at how much money this flu virus cost the pork industry.
Thu May 7, 2009 2:23pm EDT
By Christopher Doering
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. pork industry, battered by import bans by nearly two dozen countries worried about the H1N1 flu outbreak, could soon receive some help from the government, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday.
"Clearly pork producers have suffered and will continue to do so until we get this turned around," Vilsack told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee. "We are looking at ways we can be of assistance or help," he said.
Vilsack did not go into details on what type of aid the industry might receive or when it would occur.
In a letter to the USDA earlier this week, the National Pork Producers Council said low prices have compounded a slump in the pork industry. It suggested USDA buy $50 million in pork products for donation to food pantries and hunger relief to bolster hog prices. Read More
Because consumers really don’t understand where their food comes from or how it is produced, issues like having a flu virus named after a farm animal are doomed to continue haunting agriculture. That is unless all of us take everyday opportunities to educate people about agriculture. Sometimes its easy to think we don’t have time to promote ag, but look at how much money this flu virus cost the pork industry.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
H1N1 Vaccine for Pigs
ISU Researcher Develops H1N1 Vaccine For Pigs
POSTED: 4:18 pm CDT May 6, 2009UPDATED: 5:24 pm CDT May 6, 2009
AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University officials said Wednesday that one of their researchers has developed a vaccine to protect pigs from the H1N1 flu virus.
Dr. Hank Harris developed the vaccine after a Canadian swine herd was found to be infected with the H1N1 virus. He's a professor in animal science and veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at ISU.
"Now that H1N1 virus is in pigs, we're seeking funding to conduct a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate how rapidly we can produce an effective and safe vaccine for pigs," said Harris, in a statement released by ISU on Wednesday.
Harris owns a start-up company at the ISU Research Park called Harrisvaccines, Inc., which uses a technology to help produce vaccines faster than older techniques.
Harris said that his new vaccines are waiting for governmental approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Approval could come as early as 2011. Read More
Even though there has only been one isolated case of any pigs actually contracting H1N1, a vaccine may be available soon. This vaccine would hopefully protect the pigs from us humans. Even thoughyou can’t get H1N1 from eating pork, this could add another level of protection to our food supply by keeping our pigs healthy.
POSTED: 4:18 pm CDT May 6, 2009UPDATED: 5:24 pm CDT May 6, 2009
AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University officials said Wednesday that one of their researchers has developed a vaccine to protect pigs from the H1N1 flu virus.
Dr. Hank Harris developed the vaccine after a Canadian swine herd was found to be infected with the H1N1 virus. He's a professor in animal science and veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at ISU.
"Now that H1N1 virus is in pigs, we're seeking funding to conduct a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate how rapidly we can produce an effective and safe vaccine for pigs," said Harris, in a statement released by ISU on Wednesday.
Harris owns a start-up company at the ISU Research Park called Harrisvaccines, Inc., which uses a technology to help produce vaccines faster than older techniques.
Harris said that his new vaccines are waiting for governmental approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Approval could come as early as 2011. Read More
Even though there has only been one isolated case of any pigs actually contracting H1N1, a vaccine may be available soon. This vaccine would hopefully protect the pigs from us humans. Even thoughyou can’t get H1N1 from eating pork, this could add another level of protection to our food supply by keeping our pigs healthy.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Infected Canadian Pigs Recovered From Flu
Canada reports pigs infected with H1N1
By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY
For the first time, a sick farmworker has infected pigs with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, World Health Organization officials said Sunday.
A farmworker who recently had traveled to Mexico has infected a herd of pigs in Alberta, Canada, Peter Ben Embarek, a WHO food safety scientist, said at a news conference. The worker returned to the farm in mid-April, and the animals began getting sick eight to 10 days later, Embarek said.
The infection was mild, and the farmworker and pigs have recovered.
The virus that infected the pigs is the same one that is in circulation among people, and there is no indication that the transfer between species has caused the flu bug to mutate into a new or dangerous form, Embarek said.
"This is not a big surprise," he said, noting that officials had expected that pigs could be infected in areas where the virus is circulating.
Although farmworkers are at risk of contracting the virus from pigs, Embarek emphasized that people cannot become infected from eating pork. Both heat and the curing process used to make ham kill the virus, and the virus doesn't live long on surfaces.
"You can continue to safely eat your prosciutto," Embarek said. Link
Even though for the first time, a group of pigs in Canada were infected with the H1N1 virus, there is still no reason for anyone to panic. It appears that the pigs will recover without any problems. Properly handled and cooked pork is still safe to eat. Everyone needs to remember that 36,000 people die from the flu every year in the United States. So far not a single resident of this country has died and almost all the cases of H1N1 have been mild.
By Liz Szabo, USA TODAY
For the first time, a sick farmworker has infected pigs with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, World Health Organization officials said Sunday.
A farmworker who recently had traveled to Mexico has infected a herd of pigs in Alberta, Canada, Peter Ben Embarek, a WHO food safety scientist, said at a news conference. The worker returned to the farm in mid-April, and the animals began getting sick eight to 10 days later, Embarek said.
The infection was mild, and the farmworker and pigs have recovered.
The virus that infected the pigs is the same one that is in circulation among people, and there is no indication that the transfer between species has caused the flu bug to mutate into a new or dangerous form, Embarek said.
"This is not a big surprise," he said, noting that officials had expected that pigs could be infected in areas where the virus is circulating.
Although farmworkers are at risk of contracting the virus from pigs, Embarek emphasized that people cannot become infected from eating pork. Both heat and the curing process used to make ham kill the virus, and the virus doesn't live long on surfaces.
"You can continue to safely eat your prosciutto," Embarek said. Link
Even though for the first time, a group of pigs in Canada were infected with the H1N1 virus, there is still no reason for anyone to panic. It appears that the pigs will recover without any problems. Properly handled and cooked pork is still safe to eat. Everyone needs to remember that 36,000 people die from the flu every year in the United States. So far not a single resident of this country has died and almost all the cases of H1N1 have been mild.
Friday, May 1, 2009
WHO Finally Changes Name of Flu
W.H.O. Gives Virus a Name That’s More Scientific and Less Loaded
By DENISE GRADY
Published: April 30, 2009
On Wednesday, the new disease affecting thousands of people in Mexico and more than 100 in the United States and other countries was called swine influenza. By Thursday, the “S word” had been banned: A sentence in a box at the very top of the home page of the World Health Organization said, “From today, W.H.O. will refer to the new influenza virus as influenza A(H1N1).”
At the organization’s news conference in Geneva on Thursday, its deputy director general, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, dutifully referred to the virus as “H1N1,” slipping only once. Just two days earlier, Dr. Fukuda had declared that the new virus was a swine influenza virus and that the organization had no plans to call it anything other than what it was.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also started to shun the word “swine,” and a hapless reporter who used it during a radio interview was roundly scolded by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Read More
It’s refreshing to see that public health officials finally realized that they were doing more harm to the public because of the street name used for this virus than the virus itself. I would contend that the word ‘pandemic’ has caused less panic around the world than the term ’swine flu’. Egypt needlessly seized and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of healthy hogs from farmers in an attempt to ward of this flu that hasn’t made a single hog sick. They wouldn’t have done this if officials had correctly name this virus in the first place.
By DENISE GRADY
Published: April 30, 2009
On Wednesday, the new disease affecting thousands of people in Mexico and more than 100 in the United States and other countries was called swine influenza. By Thursday, the “S word” had been banned: A sentence in a box at the very top of the home page of the World Health Organization said, “From today, W.H.O. will refer to the new influenza virus as influenza A(H1N1).”
At the organization’s news conference in Geneva on Thursday, its deputy director general, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, dutifully referred to the virus as “H1N1,” slipping only once. Just two days earlier, Dr. Fukuda had declared that the new virus was a swine influenza virus and that the organization had no plans to call it anything other than what it was.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also started to shun the word “swine,” and a hapless reporter who used it during a radio interview was roundly scolded by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Read More
It’s refreshing to see that public health officials finally realized that they were doing more harm to the public because of the street name used for this virus than the virus itself. I would contend that the word ‘pandemic’ has caused less panic around the world than the term ’swine flu’. Egypt needlessly seized and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of healthy hogs from farmers in an attempt to ward of this flu that hasn’t made a single hog sick. They wouldn’t have done this if officials had correctly name this virus in the first place.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wrong Name Is The Real Threat
APRIL 30, 2009
Pork Producers Ache From Swine Flu
By CURT THACKER
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Declining hog prices amid the swine-flu outbreak could spawn losses of more than a quarter of a billion dollars and be the last straw for some U.S. pork producers.
Questions surrounding the disease and the word swine in the name have contributed to losses in lean hog futures, leading to lower cash prices and to declines in wholesale pork values.
U.S. hog producers have lost money in 16 of the past 18 months, and they needed prices to be profitable during the spring and summer. Cases of swine flu, however, have led to import bans by some countries on pork produced in a number of U.S. states and Mexico.
U.S. government officials are considering a change to the disease's current moniker. Swine flu makes some people think they can get the disease from pigs or pork, said acting CDC Director Richard Besser.
"That's not helpful to pork producers. That's not helpful to people who eat pork," he said.
Pork remains safe to eat, and the virus hasn't been found in U.S. hogs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Read More
The outbreak of a flu virus that was misnamed might put some of our nations hog farming families out of business. Because of unfounded fears by not only consumers, but also some of our trading partners, the prices received for hogs has taken another hit. It’s shameful that our government has tiptoed around the subject. Some agencies are referring to it correctly as H1N1, but the media has been slow to get the hint. If you hear the media in your area incorrectly using the term swine flu, take the time to contact them and se them straight. All the little things we do can make a big difference, and undoubtedly our hog farmers will appreciate it.
Pork Producers Ache From Swine Flu
By CURT THACKER
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Declining hog prices amid the swine-flu outbreak could spawn losses of more than a quarter of a billion dollars and be the last straw for some U.S. pork producers.
Questions surrounding the disease and the word swine in the name have contributed to losses in lean hog futures, leading to lower cash prices and to declines in wholesale pork values.
U.S. hog producers have lost money in 16 of the past 18 months, and they needed prices to be profitable during the spring and summer. Cases of swine flu, however, have led to import bans by some countries on pork produced in a number of U.S. states and Mexico.
U.S. government officials are considering a change to the disease's current moniker. Swine flu makes some people think they can get the disease from pigs or pork, said acting CDC Director Richard Besser.
"That's not helpful to pork producers. That's not helpful to people who eat pork," he said.
Pork remains safe to eat, and the virus hasn't been found in U.S. hogs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Read More
The outbreak of a flu virus that was misnamed might put some of our nations hog farming families out of business. Because of unfounded fears by not only consumers, but also some of our trading partners, the prices received for hogs has taken another hit. It’s shameful that our government has tiptoed around the subject. Some agencies are referring to it correctly as H1N1, but the media has been slow to get the hint. If you hear the media in your area incorrectly using the term swine flu, take the time to contact them and se them straight. All the little things we do can make a big difference, and undoubtedly our hog farmers will appreciate it.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Properly Naming the Flu
Pork packers, producers hurt by worries about 'North American flu'
By staff and wire reports
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2009 - 05:39:23 pm CDT
Pork producers and packers are being punished financially for mistaken impressions about what the news media are mistakenly calling “swine flu,” according to international animal health and U.S. health and agriculture authorities.
“It is not correct to call the current disease ‘swine influenza,” the World Organisation for Animal Health said Tuesday. “The virus that is circulating includes genetic components of human, avian and swine origin.”
The organization proposed to refer to this new virus as “North American influenza”, using the same approach to the name as used with the Asian influenza and Spanish influenza outbreaks that have occurred in the past.
U.S. officials said Tuesday they may abandon the term swine flu, for fear it's confusing people into thinking they could catch it from pork — which is flat-out wrong.
"We're discussing, is there a better way to describe this that would not lead to inappropriate actions on people's part?'' said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "In the public, we've been seeing a fair amount of misconception ... and that's not helpful.'' Read More
This outbreak of the flu has been very harmful to pork producers and processors. Even though not a single pig in the world has gotten sick and you cannot get sick eating properly cooked pork, the term swine flu was originally used as the name for this particular strain. The US government, along with international agencies, is now accurately using the name H1N1 flu. Some of our media outlets have begun using the correct terminology as well. If you hear someone using the incorrect term, please let them know. Anytime there is a potential for the public to panic over a situation, accurate information must be used.
By staff and wire reports
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2009 - 05:39:23 pm CDT
Pork producers and packers are being punished financially for mistaken impressions about what the news media are mistakenly calling “swine flu,” according to international animal health and U.S. health and agriculture authorities.
“It is not correct to call the current disease ‘swine influenza,” the World Organisation for Animal Health said Tuesday. “The virus that is circulating includes genetic components of human, avian and swine origin.”
The organization proposed to refer to this new virus as “North American influenza”, using the same approach to the name as used with the Asian influenza and Spanish influenza outbreaks that have occurred in the past.
U.S. officials said Tuesday they may abandon the term swine flu, for fear it's confusing people into thinking they could catch it from pork — which is flat-out wrong.
"We're discussing, is there a better way to describe this that would not lead to inappropriate actions on people's part?'' said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "In the public, we've been seeing a fair amount of misconception ... and that's not helpful.'' Read More
This outbreak of the flu has been very harmful to pork producers and processors. Even though not a single pig in the world has gotten sick and you cannot get sick eating properly cooked pork, the term swine flu was originally used as the name for this particular strain. The US government, along with international agencies, is now accurately using the name H1N1 flu. Some of our media outlets have begun using the correct terminology as well. If you hear someone using the incorrect term, please let them know. Anytime there is a potential for the public to panic over a situation, accurate information must be used.
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