State Fair to closely monitor hogs for illnesses - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The Indiana State Fair is taking new precautions to protect against swine illness concerns for animals and families at the fair.

The news follows positive cases of swine flu at the LaPorte County Fair, and sick hogs in Monroe, Hendricks and Jackson counties.

There are lots of animals being showcased at the Monroe County Fair. But the swine stalls are empty.

"Some had a fever, were lethargic, didn't care to eat," said Amy Thompson with the Purdue Extension in Monroe County.

Sick pigs and reports of some sick children who came in contact with hogs at the fair caused Monroe County to close the barn Tuesday night and send hogs home.

The concern is over the potential for swine flu.

"It started rather slowly. It did progress through the barn, just like a classroom of children," Thompson explained.

So the swine area was cleared out, Before 4-H members, like Bill Goodman's granddaughter, could auction their swine.

"For a 10-year-old, that's kind of, well, she worked hard with these pigs," Goodman said. "But she understands that's the way it has to be. I think it was a good idea what they did and I think they handled it pretty well."

As an added precaution at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, besides regular cleaning of the swine stalls, they're now going to be adding a bleach solution to make sure all traces of potential illness are gone.

"We don't need any more sick than what they got. And if it ends up that humans can catch it, it was a good decision all the way around," Goodman said.

Lab results are still pending on cultures taken from hogs that were at the Monroe County Fair, so it's not clear if swine flu is the culprit. But recent tests did come back positive at Laporte County's fair in northern Indiana.

"There was a type A variant there that's called H3N2 and that was confirmed in about a dozen pigs there we had tested," explained Denise Derrer, spokesperson for the State Board of Animal Health.

That's why the Indiana State Fair is taking unprecedented precautions. Wednesday, they were checking thousands of hogs, one by one, taking their temperature before owners were allowed to offload them and bring them into the barn.

Any hog with a temperature of 105 or higher will be sent home, ensuring all animals at the State Fair are not sick.

"We felt it was the best move to do something extra to make sure we have the highest health status for pigs coming in for the State Fair," Derrer said.

All fairs are also encouraging hand washing, as a matter of common sense, and just to make sure any potential illness doesn't spread and families stay safe, too. Extension agents say hand sanitizer is not enough, that fairgoers should be sure to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after visiting the animals.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the State Fair did not have to turn away any hogs for high temperature. They say they will continue to monitor the swine for the duration of the fair.

CDC information on swine flu

Indiana Dept. of Health update (Weds., Aug. 1):

The Indiana State Department of Health has identified a case of variant influenza A in Jackson County, bringing the total to five cases statewide. All cases have been linked to swine. Laboratory testing is pending on potential additional cases.

The State Health Department has detected increased influenza activity in different areas of the state. Flu symptoms usually include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms usually last about 2 to 5 days.

Variant Influenza A virus can be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine. Human infections are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to live infected pigs, such as working with them in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Influenza viruses are not transmitted by eating pork and pork products.

While influenza is not an uncommon diagnosis in pigs, the State Board of Animal Health encourages swine owners to contact a veterinarian if their animals show signs consistent with flu, including coughing, respiratory illness, off-feed and fever. Most county fairs have a private veterinary practitioner on call for on-site assistance.

Hoosiers are encouraged to wash hands with soap and water before and after petting or touching any animal. Never eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth when visiting animal areas. Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals.

The best way to prevent spread of influenza is to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. If possible, avoid contact with those who are ill. Stay home if you develop influenza symptoms and contact your health care provider.