New flu virus found in two Sask. hog farm workers

By Angela Halland Joanne Paulson, Saskatchewan News Network
July 7, 2009 7:24 PM




Chief veterinary officer Dr. Greg Douglas (left) and Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer Dr. Moira McKinnon speak to media on Tuesday.

Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post




REGINA — A new flu strain not connected to the current H1N1 influenza pandemic has been discovered in two Saskatchewan hog farm workers, health officials said Tuesday.
Testing on the workers — who have since recovered from mild flu cases — revealed that a seasonal human flu strain and components of a pre-existing animal flu strain appear to have formed a novel virus, said Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Moira McKinnon.
A possible third case is under investigation.
The detection of a novel influenza virus is rare but does happen occasionally, said McKinnon.
"In the past, most of these events do not end up transmitting from human to human and result in what's called a dead end," said. "Despite this understanding, we are taking aggressive precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of Saskatchewan residents."
The new strain was found largely because of the increased flu surveillance that's taking place due to the current H1N1 pandemic, McKinnon said.
There is no evidence that the new strain — being referred to as a novel non-pandemic influenza A virus — has transmitted between humans, and there are no signs of the disease in the pigs at the hog operation where the individuals work, agriculture and health officials said.
Big Sky Farms president and CEO John LaClare confirmed that the two affected employees were Big Sky workers at a northeastern Saskatchewan location, but would not reveal the exact site due to privacy concerns. The two employees had flu-like symptoms about the middle of June, said LaClare in an interview. As Big Sky recommended, they did not come to work and sought medical attention.
"They are back at work. There is no evidence that we have the virus circulating in the
herd."
LaClare said Big Sky always operates with very high bio-security standards, including having employees shower in and shower out when they arrive and leave work.
Officials can't say where the virus might have originated, noting there are always flu viruses circulating in the animal and human populations.
"It certainly conceivable that we'll never know where this virus came from," said provincial veterinarian Greg Douglas at a news conference in Regina.
Douglas said the discovery is not a food safety risk.
"Based on sound science and international guidelines this finding should have no bearing on Canadian pork or pork products trade in the world," he said.
Neil Ketilson, general manager of the Saskatchewan Pork Development Board
(Sask Pork), noted the herd is fine, and also emphasized that pork is safe to eat.
"When it comes to type A flu, it's a respiratory disease. It does not flow through into the meat in any way, shape or form," he said.
Saskatchewan residents in the affected area are to be closely monitored for flu symptoms, as will animals at the facility in the northeast, in the weeks ahead. The Ministry of Health said experts believe the new strain will respond to the current seasonal influenza vaccine and all hog farm workers at the affected operation will be vaccinated.