Swine Influenza - includes disease in pigs caused by Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
novel strain
Important: For information about A(H1N1) in humans go to the Ministry of Health website www.moh.govt.nz 
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Anyone who suspects swine influenza is present in their pigs should ring the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) Exotic Disease and Pest Emergency Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 at any time of the day or night.
Signs of swine influenza in pigs
Signs of swine influenza in pigs are very variable and may include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and loss of appetite.
There is no evidence this virus is transmitted in pig semen.
Swine influenza is classified as an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993.
There has not been a case of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza in pigs in New Zealand.
Information from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) does not indicate, at this time, that the current human influenza pandemic was preceded by an outbreak of swine influenza.
For more information go to: www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm
Food Safety
New Zealand has checks in place that ensure only healthy pigs are accepted for human consumption. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority and the World Health Organisation confirm there are no food safety issues associated with pork or pig products related to any influenza virus. The New Zealand Pork website also has advice on how to safely buy, cook and store pork and ham:
http://www.pork.co.nz/Recipes/CookingTimes.aspx .
Management
The main risk to New Zealand pigs is infection from a human with Pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009. In collaboration with New Zealand Pork, precautions are being taken to ensure that potential transmission pathways from humans to pigs are controlled.
Imports of pigs and their products
Swine influenza has been considered in the development of import health standards for pigs and their products. Although MAFBNZ has import health standards in place for importation of live pigs from Australia and New Caledonia there have not been any live pig imports since 2002.
On farm biosecurity
We are reminding all pork producers and pig owners to maintain effective farm biosecurity, particularly around visitor access to farms and pigs, and to remain vigilant around disinfecting and cleaning procedures when people enter and leave a farm. It is important to ensure staff do not work with pigs if they have flu-like symptoms. Similarly we are asking all pork producers and industry veterinary advisers to maintain their vigilance around unusual pig health issues.
MAFBNZ’s forward planning is incorporating details for investigation, potential identification of swine influenza (including Pandemic (H1N1) 2009) and its appropriate management. A number of scenarios are possible and so elements of response may vary. However, based on available international examples to date, including in Australia, the most likely scenario is that infected pigs will demonstrate only mild symptoms and will fully recover. If this is the case, it is most likely that once pigs are free of clinical symptoms, these fully recovered and healthy pigs will be acceptable in the normal manner for transport, slaughter and human consumption.
Response to reported disease
In the event that Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 is reported via a call to the MAFBNZ Exotic Disease and Pest Emergency Hotline the following steps are planned:
- An investigation will be undertaken with particular focus on ruling out exotic diseases.
- A Restricted Place notice may be used to quarantine a property while diagnostic work is undertaken to rule out exotic diseases. This decision will be made based on risk and is anticipated to be a period of five to seven days.
- If a Restricted Place notice is placed on a property, no movement of pigs will be allowed onto or off the property during this period until other exotic diseases have been excluded.
- Assuming exotic diseases are ruled out and H1N1 confirmed, the Restricted Place notice (if used) will be lifted. Healthy pigs will be allowed to go to market or other pig enterprises. The industry and piggery will be responsible for managing the disease with a view to burning it out in a short period of time.
What you should do
Everybody who owns or works around pigs should closely monitor animal health and manage animal health issues proactively. Be on the lookout for symptoms of disease in your animals and consult your local vet if you suspect something unusual.
The following farm biosecurity standards are recommended:
- All persons, vehicles and equipment that enter a pig farm where possible must have had no contact with other pigs or their housing for 24 hours before they enter a pig farm.
- Protecting New Zealand from Exotic Pests and Diseases
- Recommended Minimum Farm Biosecurity Standard for Pork Producers
- Good Biosecurity practices for livestock on farms
(157 KB) - how you can reduce the risk of animal disease on your property
It is important to look after the welfare of your animals at all times. For more information about animal welfare visit: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare
Page last updated: 16 September 2009