Pigs At Oakland County Fair Test Positive For Swine Flu: Officials

DAVISBURG, MI — Health officials are warning anyone who visited the swine barn at this month's Oakland County Fair to watch out for flu like symptoms after a multiple pigs tested positive for influenza A virus, the causative agent of swine influenza.

Officials noticed the pigs were ill on Friday and closed the swine barn closed to the public that evening, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Department of Health and Human Services.

The fair, which ran from July 7-16, was at Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg and was managed by the Oakland County 4-H Fair Association.

Oakland County health officials issued the public alert "out of an abundance of caution" and have been working on contact tracing and monitoring exhibitors and staff at the fair who were exposed.

"Fairgoers who visited the swine barn and develop respiratory symptoms are encouraged to talk to a health care provider and report potential exposure to infected swine," Oakland County's Medical Director Russell Faust said. "Physicians are reminded to consider swine influenza in persons presenting with symptoms, even during the warmer months when seasonal influenza cases are low."

Symptoms of swine flu in people are like seasonal flu and may include fever, cough, runny nose, and sometimes body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within three days of exposure but can occur for up to 10 days. In rare instances, the flu can cause severe illness or death.

Children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic health issues, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems and neurological conditions are at most risk to develop complications if they get swine influenza.

County health officials said humans can contract the swine flu through contact with an infected pig. So far this year, no human cases of swine flu have been reported in Michigan, officials said.