Protecting Swine

It’s that time of year again, fair time! Everyone is gearing up for their local fairs from Timbuktu to Kalamazoo. As in years gone by the routine for getting livestock ready to show at the fair and their  daily upkeep and care while at the fair remains pretty standard and unchanged. But there is an exception this year regarding pigs. With the H1N1 virus still capturing media attention fair boards are being asked to issue certain guidelines when it comes to the showing of swine. It has been recommended that fair goers be kept six feet away from pigs and that hand washing stations be provided. Surprisingly, this precautionary stance is being taken in order to protect the swine from any person who may be carrying the virus. Those showing pigs are also being cautioned to quarantine any pigs from the rest of their herd after returning home from the fair. The U.S. pork industry has suffered a tremendous blow in the aftermath of a disease that was originally mislabeled “swine flu”. They could certainly use a fair break.