REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Protecting the country's swine herd is at top of mind after a case of H5N1 influenza was found in a pig in Oregon.

Three pigs on an Oregon farm were tested following confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the poultry flock on that farm last week. The strain is consistent with that of migratory wild birds.

Andrea Cantu-Schomus, Oregon Department of Agriculture's (ODA)director of communications, told DTN the results of the genome sequencing on the swine samples haven't yet been revealed.

"We know none of the pigs were symptomatic, but tests were done due to the virus being found in the birds on the farm and the pigs being exposed to the birds," she said. "The USDA is conducting the additional testing."

Oregon State Veterinarian Ryan Scholz told DTN three of the pigs were tested by oral swab at the same time the birds were tested. When that swab was confirmed to be positive, those pigs were purchased by USDA and euthanized for further testing since this was the first time this strain of influenza virus was reported in pigs. Two more pigs on the farm were subsequently swabbed, and when one of the two tested positive on swabs, those two were also purchased and euthanized for further testing.

"Pigs are of particular concern with influenza viruses because they are susceptible to both avian and human strains at the same time. The risk of mutations between those viruses is high," he said. "ODA initially sampled the pigs because of this risk and known high-risk exposure of at least one of the pigs."

Anna Forseth, director of animal health for the National Pork Producers Council, reassured consumers that pork is safe and that people cannot get influenza from eating properly cooked pork.

"This is not a food safety issue, but it does remind our producers to be aware of good biosecurity measures to prevent sickness in their herds," she added.

Forseth said influenzas are common in swine herds, but most can be prevented using vaccines. However, there isn't currently a vaccine available for pork producers for the H5N1 strain.

"It is a goal of the pork industry to get protected from the H5N1 influenza. We know there are currently field trials being done for vaccines for dairy cattle," she added.

BIOSECURITY IS ONGOING

Good biosecurity is not new in the pork industry, but Forseth said this is a good reminder to continue these strong practices, especially through following the Secure Pork Supply Plan.

"We emphasize preventing birds from entering pig barns and preventing feed spills to reduce other animals and the possibility of exposure to pigs," she said. "We also want to keep equipment clean and know who is visiting the farms."

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WORKERS

She said the other recommendation is for workers on pig farms to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine due to some influenza viruses being zoonotic or passed back and forth from pigs to humans.

"We don't want to introduce any new strains, and having vaccines on board for both pigs and humans can help avoid the risk," Forseth said.

There currently have been no human cases of H5N1 in Oregon.

Scholz has put the infected farm under quarantine, and the department continues to monitor animals remaining on the farm. Further testing continues to give health officials more information about the virus present on the farm.

"The concern that maybe this virus could end up mutating more and circulating in a new species is a lot why we take it as seriously as we do and why we got out to this farm as quickly as we did," Scholz said during a media briefing. "Even though the pigs were not sick, we recognized that risk. We want animal owners to know how to protect their animals and catch this virus quickly."

For an update from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on H5N1, see https://www.dtnpf.com/….

And for more on confirmation of the case, see https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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