Bacon Bits - Vol. This article discusses some of the highlights from my notes on the presentations on disease issues at the 1999 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. It was held in St. Paul Minnesota September 17 to 21, 1999. The comments in italics are my own opinions. This was a hot topic and several speakers described outbreaks in the US caused by the emerging H3N2 influenza virus.
Pigs can be a mixing vessel in which a reassortment of human-avian flu viruses occurs.
We have been already been warned to expect another widespread epidemic of human flu, and there are signs it may already be underway. We should also anticipate the possibility of the spread of the H3N2 virus to Alberta pigs. The signs are similar but more severe than classical swine flu, and immunization with the H1N1 vaccine currently available will not protect pigs. If it occurs, your veterinarian will help confirm the diagnosis based on the clinical signs, pathology and serology. There were a number of talks on PRRS and a panel discussion on vaccination.