Chute n the Bull

You may catch the flu from your sick hunting buddy, but there’s no
evidence that you will catch it from domestic or wild hogs, according to
the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). There is no evidence that
the new strain of H1N1 influenza is in domestic or wild hogs. This
disease is being spread from person to person.

“We are prepared to test hogs, if a human/animal disease link is
identified. To date, there has been no indication that swine are
involved,” said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas state veterinarian and head of
the TAHC, the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency.
“We are participating on all calls with health and emergency
officials, are monitoring the situation, and are consulting with local
officials, but so far, there is no indication of animal-to-human disease
spread.”

“Several hunters have asked about the safety of hunting wild hogs,” said
Dr. Hillman. “To repeat, there is no evidence that wild hogs are
involved in this flu outbreak. Always, however, we advise wild hog
hunters to protect themselves against potential exposure to swine
brucellosis, a totally different disease that is not related in any way
to the flu. We know from test results that about 10 percent of wild hogs
carry swine brucellosis, a bacterial disease.”

“When processing or butchering a wild hog, hunters should protect
themselves against the blood and bodily fluids of wild hogs,” he said.
“When the wild hog meat is cooked, any swine brucellosis bacteria is
destroyed by the heat.”

Trappers who catch wild hogs and owners of domestic swine also should
practice good biosecurity to prevent spreading the flu to pigs. “Don’t
get around swine if you become ill, and avoid having visitors near your
pigs,” said Dr. Hillman. “Have someone else feed the animals if you
become ill with flu-like symptoms. Notify your health department or the
TAHC so your pigs can be monitored for disease. Also, as a basic
biosecurity measure, you should always wash your hands after handling
animals.”

Dr. Hillman said wild hog trappers and domestic swine owners should call
their veterinarian if their swine develop a sudden onset of respiratory
illness. The nearest TAHC area office or TAHC headquarters also should
be notified so testing can be conducted according to the flu response
protocol. The TAHC headquarters may be reached at 800-550-8242. You
can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.com
for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of
socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national
origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperatings
serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex,
religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University
System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners
Courts of Texas Cooperating.




Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service