Swine Flu Confirmed at Butler County Fair - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that nine of 10 suspected influenza cases in Butler County have tested positive for the H3N2v strain of influenza.  The 10^th case is still being tested. 

The Ohio Department of Health, and the Butler County Health Department, continue to investigate human illnesses associated with the Butler County Fair.  The strain matches the flu virus that recently infected four people with swine exposure at the Monroe County Fair in Indiana.  None of the individuals in Butler County's investigation with direct contact with swine are currently hospitalized. 

Butler County Health Department, along with ODH and CDC,  continues to work on determining  the extent of the illnesses.  The Ohio Department of Agriculture wants fair exhibitors to take precautions.  They have alerted attending veterinarians to closely monitor for signs of influenza as pigs arrive on the fairgrounds.

Health officials wish to emphasize that fair attendance is safe.  Visitors should remember to always wash their hands after being in close-proximity to livestock, as well as to keep food and drink out of animal exhibits. All fair animals, especially pigs, receive checks from veterinarians to monitor for illness and signs of flu-like symptoms every day they are at the fair. This protects the health of both the people visiting the fair, and the other animals in the barns.

Influenza viruses such as H3N2v and its variants are typical in swine.  These viruses may be directly transmitted from swine to people and from people to swine in the same way that all viruses may be transmitted between people. When humans are in close proximity to live infected swine, such as in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs, movement of these viruses can occur back and forth between humans and animals. Influenza viruses cannot be transmitted by eating pork or pork products, however. 

Individuals should always wash hands with soap and water before and after petting or touching any animal.  Never eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth in animal areas.  Older adults, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems should take extra precautions around animals.

People who have direct, routine contact with swine, such as working in swine barns or showing swine at fairs, and have experienced cough or influenza-like illness, should contact their health care provider or local health department.  Symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, body aches, and possibly other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.