After Midwest Swine Flu Concerns, Officials Warn Fairgoers of Health Precautions

Concerns about a new strain of swine flu that has been linked to county fairs in the Midwest aren’t keeping attendees away from the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair this year, fair officials report. However, fair and county health officials are reminding residents to take health precautions—such as frequent hand washing—as they attend the fair this week.

The CDC is warning of a new strain of swine flu that has been linked to pigs at county fairs in Indiana, Ohio and Hawaii. The new strain can travel from pigs to humans, and reported cases jumped to 158 across the country last week from 29 the week before, according to MINBCNews.com.

Most of the recent patients have been children who have been in contact with pigs at county fairs, according to the report. The strain, however, does not appear to travel easily between humans.

“None of the cases are in this area, but it's good to take precautions,” said Carol Jordan, chief of the communicable diseases department at Montgomery County Health and Human Services. “Ohio and Indiana and Hawaii are a long way away from here, but we’ve had a lot of interest and questions about it this year. There’s no reason to panic—you just need to use common sense about dealing with animals.”

County officials have been in contact with fair organizers, who were already implementing most of the safety precautions they suggested, Jordan said. Handwashing stations are positioned around the fair, and signs displayed outside animal barns remind attendees to wash their hands frequently, according to fair executive director Martin Svrcek. Each animal brought to the fair is required to have a signed certification of inspection from a vet and their owners, Svrcek said.

While animal handlers are the most likely to come into contact with pigs, attendees may come into contact with the animals as they come up to the edge of their pens, Svrcek said. There are no petting zoos at the fair.

“We’re doing nothing different than in the past—encouraging our volunteers to encourage patrons to wash their hands,” Svrcek said. “Our numbers in 2012 are excellent, so people are not staying away. There’s no change in the way the folks are going through the swine barns, and the shows are well attended.”

When attending the fair this week, county health officials recommend keeping the following tips in mind:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after coming into contact with a pig or other animals.
• Avoid eating or drinking in areas where animals are kept.
• Avoid contact with animals if they look ill.
• Anyone with a lowered immune system should avoid contact with pigs.

Are you taking extra health precautions at the fair this year? Tell us in the comments.