AMES, Iowa -- The current human outbreak of influenza has been incorrectly identified in many media reports during the past several days. The specific H1N1 virus confirmed as the cause of illness in people in Mexico, the United States, New Zealand and Europe has not been found in any swine anywhere in the world, and Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) associate director James McKean said people need to understand that they cannot get this particular strain from pigs even though the disease was initially and erroneously called, “swine flu.”

“This virus is being spread by human-to-human contact and not from contact with pigs,” he said. “The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has said, and we know, that the virus is contagious, so we all need to be vigilant with everyday protective actions in our interactions with each other.”

For example, wash hands often using soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners or sanitizers also are effective. Avoid close contact with sick people, and stay home from work or school if you are sick.

Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) had suggested that the illness be called North American influenza, based on its initially identified geographic origin. However, as of today, WHO spokesman Dick Thompson said that organization will now use the name, “influenza A (H1N1).”

Stay up to date with these national and international sources of information.

CDC: http://cdc.gov/swineflu/

Iowa Department of Public Health: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/swine_flu.asp

WHO: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

OIE: http://www.oie.int/eng/

Iowa State University Library resource listing: http://instr.iastate.libguides.com/swineflu

IPIC: http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/influenza.html

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