Commercial Pigs Test Positive For Swine Flu

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced yesterday that pigs in a commercial herd in the state of Indiana have tested positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus, making it the first time the virus has been found in such hogs. It is something though that agriculture experts have long-expected to happen.

Using its swine surveillance program, the USDA said it discovered four tissue samples (collected in late October) that tested positive for the virus. The USDA said also that the pigs as well as the people caring for the animals have recovered fully.

USDA officials have stressed however that instances of pigs with the H1N1 swine flu do not pose a threat to consumers of pork products. It may still be bad news however for the pork industry, which has been struggling with poor prices that have been blamed on swine flu fears and the global recession. The positive tests in Indiana also come just days after U.S. officials successfully negotiated an end to one of the more damaging commercial effects of swine flu — China implementing a six-month ban on pork imports. It is now expected that the Chinese will reopen their import markets, offering pork producers an opportunity to export to what was their fastest growing market before the swine flu outbreak.