UCCE's Kent Brittan outlines 4-H swine flu precautions

The farm animals taking part in the Yolo County 4-H Spring Fair this weekend will be monitored for symptoms of flu and other diseases, according to UC Cooperative Exension director Kent Brittan. Brittan's comments were in an unbylined article in yesterday's Woodland Daily Democrat..

"All animals will be checked by a veterinarian upon arrival at the fairgrounds. Only animals that pass these health checks are allowed to be shown at the fair," Brittan was quoted. Brittan also said in the article that animals will be kept at a safe distance and will have no direct contact with visitors.

Health monitoring is of particular importance this spring because of a worldwide swine flu scare, which has been reported on extensively by the news media. Swine flu is a contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs. When the flu spreads person to person, instead of from animals to humans, it can continue to mutate, making it harder to treat or fight, because people have no natural immunity.

According to media reports, such as this one from CNN.com, the World Health Organization is warning of widespread human infection from the swine flu outbreak that originated in Mexico.

The story in the Woodland paper also quoted UC Davis Cooperative Extension specialist Martin Smith as saying that "biosecurity is a priority in UC ANR."

"Because backyard flocks and herds serve as potential vectors of disease, and fairs and exhibitions where 4-H youth show animals represent potential bio-security risks, education outreach efforts that include practical strategies for 4-H have been developed and implemented," Smith is quoted.

Swine in repose.