FAIR WARNING
Precautions nothing new at Porter County Fair swine barn
The hand-washing station and sign outside the swine barn at the Porter County Fair that advise taking sanitary precautions might have new significance this year because the state health department said a person caught swine flu after exposure to pigs at a county fair during the summer.
This is the first human case of H3N2 variant influenza reported in Indiana since 2013 and the first human case in the U.S. this year, the Indiana State Department of Health said in a release in late June. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the test results.
The resident became ill after being exposed to pigs during a county fair that since has ended, and the resident was recovering, according to the release. A health department spokeswoman declined to note the county, citing privacy laws.
Officials with the Porter County Fair said the hand-washing station has been in place for a number of years, as well as a sign advising visitors to take precautions because animals have different bacteria. The sign also advises to avoid eating and drinking in the barns and put away bottles and sippy cups.
“We have hand-washing stations and signs so people are aware,” said David Bagnall, the fair’s general manager.
The fair takes health and safety concerns seriously, said Andrew Lucas, spokesman for the fair. Under new 4-H
standards nationwide, Lucas said, participants exhibiting animals have to undergo “Youth for the Quality Care of Animals” quality assurance training.
Other preventive measures are taken.
“The animals are inspected upon check-in and immediately released,” Lucas said. Concerning swine, Lucas said “animals get swine flu vaccines long before they show up at the fair.”
Swine flu can be transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs, according to the health department release. Human infections are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in barns and livestock exhibits at fairs.
Eating pork and pork products does not transmit the virus, according to the release.
“Seeing animals is one of the highlights of going to the fair, but it’s important to remember that animals can carry diseases that can make people sick,” State Health Commissioner Kris Box said in the release. “Washing your hands after attending animal exhibits and practicing good food hygiene can help prevent illness and ensure that the fair and other events remain a healthy and fun experience.”
In addition to the precautions already suggested at the Porter County Fair, the state health department suggests avoiding eating and drinking in pig barns and show arenas; staying home if ill with flu-like symptoms and avoiding pigs and swine barns for anyone at high risk for complications from the flu.
The state health department said fair exhibitors should watch pigs for signs of illness, and humans with recent exposure to pigs and experience flu-like symptoms should contact their health care provider. Influence antiviral drugs can treat swine flue as well as seasonal flu.
Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.