Swine Flu Protection Tips During Indiana's Fair Season

ACROSS INDIANA — As many states across the U.S. enter their annual fair season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are sharing important precautions to take when it comes to swine influenza (flu), a respiratory disease of pigs. The CDC says swine flu is caused by type A flu viruses that often cause flu outbreaks in pigs, and while it's spread among pigs, it can rarely be spread from pigs to humans. When that (rarely) happens, the CDC says the virus is called a "variant virus infection," designated with the letter "v" after the virus subtype (H1N1v, H3N2v, H1N2v) and most happen in agricultural fair settings.

According to the CDC, there have been 154 detected H3N2v cases since 2005 in Indiana, but zero cases of H1N1v.

The CDC says the spread of swine flu viruses from a pig to a person is thought to happen the same way we spread human flu viruses, which is mainly through droplets when an infected pig coughs or sneezes.

This has happened in different settings, especially at fairs where pigs from many places come in close contact with each other and with people. Let it be known that exposing yourself to pigs, especially through close contact, is the main risk factor when it comes to becoming infected with variant influenza viruses.

RELATED: 8 Sickened with Swine Flu at Michigan County Fairs

Symptoms in sick pigs include (CDC): Fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed. However, influenza-infected pigs also may not appear ill or be only mildly ill. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks of seasonal influenza in humans.

Symptoms in humans include (CDC): Fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. The CDC reported some people also have reported runny nose, sore throat, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms are similar to those that happen during the regular flu season.

Protective measures recommended by the CDC and 4-H National Headquarters:

• Recommendations for fair exhibitors with high risk factors: Avoid pigs and swine barns at the fair. This includes pig exhibitors and family members with high risk factors.
• This may mean that exhibitors with one or more high risk factors do not show their pig(s) this year.
• Recommendations for fair exhibitors with high risk factors: If you are responsible for the care of pigs, watch them for illness (like loss of appetite, cough or runny nose). Call a veterinarian if you suspect illness.
• Avoid close contact with pigs that look or act ill and notify the fair veterinarian and/or the fair manager that your pig may be ill.
• If you must come in contact with ill swine: Wear protective clothing, gloves and masks that cover your mouth and nose. (This is called "personal protective equipment" or PPE.)
• Minimize contact with pigs in the pig barn and arenas.

Always take the following preventive actions (CDC, 4-H):

• Don't eat or drink or put anything in your mouth in the pig barn and show arena.
• Don't take toys, pacifiers, cups, bottles, strollers, or similar items into the pig barn and show arenas.
• Wash your hands often with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home to avoid spreading your illness

How common?: CDC says it received reports in the past of approximately one human infected with influenza viruses that usually are found in swine every one to two years, but beginning in 2012, there was a jump in the number of these cases. (See Case Count: Detected U.S. Human Infections with Variant Influenza Viruses by State since December 2005.)

>> RELATED: 2018 Indiana State Fair Theme Announced

Increased flu detection and reporting could be credited to (CDC): Pandemic preparedness efforts have improved state level surveillance and laboratory capacity to detect novel viruses in the United States. Second, in 2005, flu infections were made internationally reportable and were made reportable in the U.S. in 2007. It's also possible that there is a true increase in the number of these cases, possibly occurring from exposure to infected swine or through subsequent, limited human-to-human transmission.

See the full report and get more information about diagnosing and treating swine flu: cdc.gov

Stay tuned for Indianapolis Patch to feature all things 2018 Indiana State Fair coming up soon, as "The Greatest 17 Days of Summer" take place Aug. 3 through 19. Indiana State Fair organizers announced the circus theme back in April for this year's fair. Fair officials say it's the first time the Indiana State Fair is bringing fair-goers a world-class circus.

The 2018 Indiana State Fair will feature acrobats, trapeze artists, clowns and more from The Big Top Circus.

Image via Shutterstock