Agricultural News
Pork Checkoff Recommends Producers and Workers to Get Flu Vaccination
Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:34:48 CDT
As the United States enters another flu season, the Pork Checkoff is advising producers, farm personnel and others who have contact with pigs to get the seasonal flu vaccination as soon as possible to help protect human and pig health.
"It's always wise for producers and swine farm workers to reduce the risk of getting sick and bringing the flu to the farm or workplace by getting vaccinated," said Jennifer Koeman, director of producer and public health for the Pork Checkoff. "It also demonstrates the industry's 'We Care' approach to protecting employees, animals and public health."
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, all people over the age of 6 months of age should be immunized for influenza each year.
"People may remain contagious for up to five to seven days after getting sick," Koeman said. "That's why it's so crucial that employers have a sick-leave policy that encourages those experiencing symptoms of influenza-like illness to stay home."
At the farm level, good building ventilation and good hygiene can help reduce transmission of flu viruses.
"To prevent pigs and humans from other species' influenza viruses, producers also should look at bird-proofing their buildings, protecting feed from birds and enforcing biosecurity practices, such as the use of farm-specific clothing and footwear," Koeman said.
According to Lisa Becton, Pork Checkoff's director of swine health information and research, "It's very important to monitor your herd's health daily and contact your herd veterinarian if influenza is suspected. Rapid detection of influenza can help producers and their veterinarians implement appropriate strategies to better manage sick pigs."
Additional general flu-related information can be found by clicking here. The Pork Checkoff also has a factsheet on influenza, "Influenza: Pigs, People and Public Health"- click here to see a copy of this factsheet.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold.
The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or check their website at pork.org.
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