COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With public concern over the swine influenza outbreaks growing, Ohio State University Extension is working with numerous Ohio agricultural and public health organizations to educate citizens on what the virus is, its origins, how its spread and its human and animal health impacts. Specialists with OSU Extension's Agricultural Safety and Health Program have compiled information on swine influenza from a variety of sources, including the Centers for Disease Control, Ohio Department of Health and the National Pork Board.

"As always, OSU Extension is providing reliable, useful information to Ohio citizens concerning current issues and agricultural science," said Don Breece, OSU Extension assistant director in charge of agriculture and natural resources programs. "Our specialists have written science-based information concerning the swine influenza outbreak. We have also forwarded information from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture about the disease to include that 'there is no evidence at this time showing that swine have been infected with this virus. Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food so you cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products is safe'. Furthermore, Extension educators in agriculture and natural resources routinely will provide information to pork producers about biosecurity measures required to keep Ohio’s swine herds safe form disease."

Added Dee Jepsen, OSU Extension state safety leader, "From a human health standpoint, it is also helpful to remember standard flu prevention methods. Maintaining good health habits is the best way to prevent any type of respiratory illness such as the flu."

The following tips, provided by the Centers for Disease Control, are good health habits that will help prevent the spread of germs and help Ohioans stay healthy:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick to protect yourself. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home when you are ill. To help prevent the spread of your illness, do not expose others to your germs. Stay home from regular activities such as work, school, and running errands.
• Cover your mouth and nose. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to help prevent the spread of your germs. Throw away the tissue after use. If you do not have a tissue use the upper part of your shirt sleeve.
• Use a surgical mask. To protect yourself and others from the spread of germs, you can wear a surgical mask.
• Clean your hands often. Use either soap and hot water or a waterless antibacterial hand sanitizer throughout the day to kill germs.
• Minimize hand to face contact. Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
• Stay healthy. Taking good care of yourself will help you stay healthy. This includes getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food. Check with your doctor to learn if you should receive an annual flu vaccine.

For more information, log on to http://www.cdc.gov.

The following resources provide additional information to help answer questions regarding swine influenza:
• Swine Influenza (Flu) in pigs and people http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pdf/brochure.pdf; in Spanish: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/swine_espanol.htm
• Germ Stopper Poster (3 styles) http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials.htm; in Spanish: http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials.htm
• National Pork Board, Influenza: Pigs, People and Public Health http://www.pork.org/PorkScience/Documents/PUBLICHEALTH%20influenza.pdf
• CDC Influenza Division discusses swine flu, the signs and symptoms, transmission, treatment, and prevention. http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11226
• Ohio Department of Health http://www.odh.ohio.gov/landing/phs_emergency/swineflu.aspx
• Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm, http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm

According to the Centers for Disease Control, swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that cause regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. The current concern surrounding swine flu is based in part on the apparent ease of transmission from person to person, and that the flu spreading in the United States appears to match the flu that has sickened scores in Mexico and is suspected to have caused deaths. The virus is being described as a new subtype of A/H1N1 not previously detected in swine or humans.