FAO monitors A/H1N1 situation
New A/H1N1 virus not detected in pigs - FAO:
With WHO raising its pandemic alert level from 4 to 5, countries
worldwide are being urged to take adequate precautionary measures
against the newly found A/H1N1 virus, and to be prepared for the
eventual case of a pandemic.
The challenge for governments, with FAO assistance, is to review
measures to be taken in the veterinary realm, despite the fact that
"there is currently no evidence to suggest that the novel human-to-human
transmitted H1N1 influenza virus is circulating in pigs in Mexico or
anywhere else in the world, reasserted FAO Chief Veterinary Officer of
FAO, Mr. Joseph Domenech.
He added that "given current facts and scientific understanding,
consumption of pig meat does not bring any increased risk to the
consumer."
It is for these reasons that FAO, the World Health Organization and
the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) agreed to no longer refer
to "swine flu" but instead to "Influenza A/H1N1".
"Stepping up swine influenza control measures in pigs, in the absence
of the A/H1N1 virus, such as control of movements and culling, is not
justified," said Joseph Domenech.
However, he recommended that pig disease surveillance be reinforced
in order to detect, identify and monitor any new event which could be
related to this new A/H1N1 virus circulation in humans. FAO |