Swine Flu Misnomer

Published 4th May, 3:38pm

Influenza A (H1N1) is the correct name to be used when referring to the current flu outbreak now present in at least 19 countries; the virus has most commonly been called 'swine flu.'

The World Health Organisation (WHO) began using Influenza A (H1N1) following objections from both the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and pork producers.

Maintaining that the virus was misnamed, an OIE statement released as early as Tuesday (28 April) last week declared: "It is incorrect to call the current disease 'swine influenza.' The virus that is circulating includes genetic components of human, avian and swine origin."

Government health officials and GIS will begin to use Influenza A (H1N1), attaching a "(swine flu)" reminder.

An update from OIE Director General Bernard Vallat to the organisation's 174 national delegates stated that there is no data supporting a link between the human influenza-like cases in Mexico and the US, to possible animal cases - including swine.

Additionally, information posted on the WHO's website confirms that there is presently no evidence of transmission between pigs and humans.

Meanwhile, a joint statement from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the OIE, the WHO, and the World Trade Organization confirmed that there is no risk of infection from consuming well-cooked pork and pork products.

The statement concluded "There is currently therefore no justification in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Code for the imposition of trade measures on the importation of pigs or their products."

More information on the influenza A (H1N1) virus may be obtained at www.who.int, www.oie.int or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm.

For further information contact: Kenisha Morgan