{"id":21463,"date":"2017-09-20T09:23:20","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T13:23:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=21463"},"modified":"2017-09-20T09:41:23","modified_gmt":"2017-09-20T13:41:23","slug":"influenza-a-detected-in-swine-exhibited-at-the-charles-county-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2017\/09\/20\/influenza-a-detected-in-swine-exhibited-at-the-charles-county-fair\/","title":{"rendered":"Influenza A detected in swine exhibited at the Charles County Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"

Further testing taking place to determine specific strain<\/em>\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Baltimore, MD<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The Maryland Department of Health, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the health departments in Charles County and St. Mary\u2019s County are investigating five cases of influenza in pigs recently exhibited at the Charles County Fair. Preliminary tests show that the pigs are infected with influenza A, but it is not yet known if this strain is potentially transmissible to humans. Additional testing and investigation is underway by the Department of Agriculture.<\/p>\n

It is rare for influenza viruses that normally infect pigs \u2013 often called \u201cswine flu\u201d \u2013 to spread to people, but it is possible. Most commonly, human infections with swine flu occur in people who have been exposed to infected pigs (e.g., children handling pigs at agricultural fairs or workers in the swine industry). Limited human-to-human spread of swine flu has been detected previously, but no sustained or community spread has been identified. There have been 421 human cases of swine flu in the United States since 2005. Twenty cases have occurred in 2017, all in states other than Maryland.<\/p>\n

The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to non-swine influenza and can include fever, cough and sore throat. Prescription influenza antiviral drugs can treat swine flu infections in people, especially when started early. Health officials recommend that people with influenza-like illness contact their healthcare provider and inform them if they have had pig contact within the past seven days. Providers are advised to contact their local health departments if they suspect swine flu in their patients to coordinate appropriate testing with their local health department. The Charles County Health Department can be reached at\u00a0301-609-6900 ext. 6025<\/a>\u00a0and the St. Mary\u2019s County Health Department can be reached at\u00a0301-475-4330<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All swine at the Charles County fairgrounds are under a quarantine order from the Department of Agriculture and will not be released until seven days after the last pig shows signs of influenza illness. Swine exhibits at the upcoming St. Mary\u2019s County and Calvert County fairs have been\u00a0cancelled by order of the Secretary of Agriculture.<\/a>\u00a0To report sick pigs, or if you have questions about pigs and influenza, please call the Department of Agriculture at\u00a0410-841-5810<\/a>\u00a0or after hours at\u00a0410-841-5971<\/a>.
\nTips to protect yourself and others from the flu<\/strong><\/p>\n

The flu vaccine protects against many types of influenza. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all people over age 6 months get the flu vaccine every year. Other important steps people can take to protect themselves and others from all types of influenza include:<\/p>\n