Purpose
- As someone who raises pigs, whether for show (e.g., 4-H or National FFA Organization) or as part of a farming operation (i.e., commercial pork producer or swine farmer), you may have questions about flu in both pigs and people:
- How can you prevent swine infections in pigs?
- What can you do to reduce the risk of getting sick?
Preventing swine flu infections in pigs
It is possible to lessen the risk of influenza A virus infections in pigs and/or severity of disease by following these management strategies:
- Using good biosecurity measures
- Using all-in and all-out husbandry procedures, and limiting pig movement between the pens, swine barns, and farms
- Keeping swine barns, feeding, and water equipment, clean and sanitary
- Vaccinating pig caretakers annually with the seasonal flu vaccine
- Using proper ventilation systems in enclosed spaces, such as swine barns
- If attending agricultural fairs, exhibitions, or terminal shows where many pigs are present, reducing the time that pigs are at the fair or exhibited can reduce transmission of flu among pigs and between pigs and people.
- Vaccinating herds with swine flu vaccines
- Flu vaccines for pigs can help reduce the risk of pigs getting flu but may not be 100% effective. Sometimes, flu vaccines used in pigs may not protect against the virus or viruses that are spreading in pigs, because the vaccine virus may not match the influenza A virus that is circulating in the pigs.
- Flu vaccines for pigs can help reduce the risk of pigs getting flu but may not be 100% effective. Sometimes, flu vaccines used in pigs may not protect against the virus or viruses that are spreading in pigs, because the vaccine virus may not match the influenza A virus that is circulating in the pigs.
Work with your veterinarian to reduce the spread of swine flu viruses
You should work together with your veterinarian to develop herd management and vaccination strategies to reduce the spread of flu A among swine herds and to prevent the introduction and spread of flu viruses between pigs, people, and birds.
Prevent the spread of flu
Preventing the spread of influenza viruses between pigs and their caretakers
- Animal caretakers who are at higher risk of serious flu complications should avoid pigs and swine barns, if possible.
- If animal caretakers at higher risk of serious flu complications cannot avoid exposure to pigs, they should wear a well-fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth (e.g., an N95 respirator or KN95 respirator if available, or if not available, a surgical mask) when around pigs to reduce the risk of exposure to influenza A viruses from pigs. Animal caretakers at higher risk should also wash their hands with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs or a swine barn. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Other routine preventive actions are available at Take Action to Prevent the Spread of Flu Between Pigs and People.
- If you or your family members become sick with flu-like symptoms and need medical treatment, take the recommended actions available at Variant Influenza Virus Treatment.