Subclinical Influenza A in Pigs at Fairs

Influenza A virus was recovered from seemingly healthy pigs at 19% of agricultural fairs in Ohio over a 3-year period.

Influenza viruses can move bidirectionally between humans and pigs. Because swine respiratory tracts have receptors for human-, swine-, and avian-origin influenza A viruses, they can foster genomic reassortment among viruses from different host species. Pigs can develop clinical influenza, but how often do they carry influenza viruses asymptomatically?

To find out, researchers cultured nasal swab specimens from swine (healthy and ill) at agricultural fairs in Ohio from 2009 through 2011. Influenza A virus was recovered from 155 of 1073 tested pigs (14%) and at 12 of 53 fair events (23%). Influenza virus–positive pigs showing no evidence of respiratory infection were found at 10 (19%) of the fairs. Two influenza A virus subtypes were recovere…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Subclinical Influenza A in Pigs at Fairs

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Reviewing Author