H1N1

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified cases in the United States where people have been diagnosed with a form of influenza virus known as swine influenza virus subtype H1N1.  That is the same virus causing human illness in Mexico.

Swine influenza virus not in pork
According to the CDC, swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

Additional resources:
The National Pork Board is collaborating with the CDC and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide information on swine influenza.  Information on influenza can be found in the fact sheet, “INFLUENZA: Pigs, People and Public Health”.

The CDC provides updated information at http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

Pork industry information will be updated at www.pork.org as information becomes available.

• Article History
• Revision Date: 9/17/2009