Swine Flu Epidemic Blamed On Pigs In State Fairs: More Than A Dozen Children Infected

A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blamed pigs in state fairs for infecting more than a dozen children with swine flu. Eighteen people were infected with a type of swine flu that wasn't seen in humans before.

All of the patients - 16 of them were children - got the variant swine flu viruses after they visited agricultural fairs in Michigan and Ohio, the CDC confirmed. A variant swine flu virus is what occurs when a flu virus that is commonly found in pigs finds a home in a human body, CNN reported.

Thirteen of the 18 patients directly touched or handled a pig and four people said they passed through a pig barn. One patient said he/she had indirect contact, though the circumstances weren't disclosed.

One person infected with swine flu virus was hospitalized but other than that, all patients recovered fully. Seven of the patients were younger than five years old.

A person with swine flu virus, which commonly circulates in pigs, displays several symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and body aches, the CDC listed. Respiratory issues can also occur including cough and runny nose.

People with high risk of developing serious swine flu complications are children younger than five years old and people aged 65 and older. Also at risk are pregnant women and people with long-term health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or asthma, weakened immune system and neurological or neurodevelopmental issues.

Dr. Greg Poland, a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), advised people to wash their hands properly after touching an animal in fairs and petting zoos. Hand sanitizers can be used as well but those are less effective compared to a thorough hand washing.

Fairs and petting zoos should place hand-washing stations within the vicinity and prohibit consumption of food and drinks in barn areas. Visitors should also avoid putting their hands on their face or inside their mouth while at fairs or petting zoos. In addition, people who visit fairs or petting zoos should not have close contact with pigs or animals that look sick.

Of course, these prevention tips aren't enough. Poland said parents should ensure annual flu shots for children who are six months or older. The vaccine will not prevent sickness from a variant swine flu virus, but it will help stop the viruses from spreading to other people and lower transmission.