Pressroom

Source: Vancouver Sun (Canada)

By: Shore, Randy

12/29/2011

In an effort to reduce the risk of transmission of flu viruses between livestock and people, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is calling on farmers, farm workers, and even those planning to visit a swine farm to get the seasonal flu vaccine. According to the Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB), a pilot program in Prince Edward Island found that approximately 30 percent of farmers and workers got vaccinated against the flu on their own; however, another 20 percent accepted the vaccine when it was provided on-site. The CFIA noted, “Although such cases are rare, if both human-origin and swine-origin viruses are present in the same animal or person at the same time, there is a possibility that the genetic material can recombine and form a new [novel] virus.” And while these viruses do not usually spread from an infected animal or person, “occasionally the new virus can be transmitted and may replace the virus strains previously present in the population,” the CFIA said. Vaccinating both farm workers and the animals can help lower the risk that new “recombinant” viruses may form, the agency added.