Health Officials Reiterate Humans Cannot Get H1N1 From Eating Pork
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Health Officials Reiterate Humans Cannot Get H1N1...
Officials say so far, one Minnesota State Fair pig has tested positive for the H1N1 virus. But, even though the pig had swine flu, health officials say it likely caught the virus from humans visiting...
Officials say so far, one Minnesota State Fair pig has tested positive for the H1N1 virus. But, even though the pig had swine flu, health officials say it likely caught the virus from humans visiting the fair. Officials are also emphasizing that people cannot get the H1N1 virus by eating pork. Karla Hult takes a look at what consumers are saying.
Published: October 20, 2009
Minneapolis, MN—Put simply, it will take more than a pig testing positive for H1N1 for Sue Johnston to change her daughter’s birthday menu.
Sue Johnston, shopper: “We boil them, and then you barbecue them. I think, as long as you cook your food thoroughly, then it should be, I’m hoping it will be, safe.“
A mother taking a stand, and holding, an opinion. That is exactly what pork and health officials hope everyone will have.
Joni Scheftel, Minnesota state public health veterinarian: “Influenza is not spread through food.“
On the same day officials got the test results on a Minnesota pig, officials from all levels are speaking out…hoping to alleviate concerns H1N1 can spread from pig…to person.
Scheftel: “This virus is being transmitted in Minnesota from person to person to person to person, and it’s not being transmitted from pigs, at all.“
The effort to educate is worldwide…U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA officials are reaching out to U.S. trade partners, telling them, it’s still perfectly fine to import pork.
David Priesler, Minnesota Pork Producers Association (by phone): “We export a little over 15 percent of all the pork that’s produced in the United States, so working with export partners is extremely important.“
Closer to home, David Priesler with the Minnesota Pork Producers Association says they’re also getting the word out, it’s OK to keep pork on your plate.
Priesler: “You cannot get acquire any sort of flu by handling raw pork or cooked pork that people would eat.“
And where verbal reminders fail, grocery stores are even opting for signs.
Jay Broadwell, meat department manager: “We’re getting these from the federal government. They are stating obviously that you’re not going to get H1N1 from eating pork.“
Karla Hult, reporting: “Have you gotten any inquiries about it?“
Broadwell: “We got a lot of customers asking about it, quite a few.“
But, for all those asking questions, there are still those taking health officials at their word.
Johnston: “You have to listen to the experts. I do. And also you have to have good hygiene and all that other stuff to prevent the flu and the spread of that contamination that kind of way.“
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