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| Area Hog Farmer Says "Swine Flu" Gives His Industry Bad Name |
A hog farmer from the area who's on the board of the National Pork Producers Council is pretty relieved at news that the World Health Organization is no longer calling the H1N1 virus the "swine flu."
Gary Asay of the Henry County community of Osco spoke this week to a group in Abingdon, and says the incorrect moniker has already had an impact on the hog farming industry in the country, from some countries considering not accepting imports of pork from the U-S, to those deciding not to eat pork products -- all despite the virus not having anything to do with hogs.
Asay tells WGIL hog farmers were looking at a pretty good year until this so-called "swine flu" came up. "We've had approximately 18 months of negative returns already in the industry," Asay said, "and we were looking forward to some possible profits this summer to help a bit. But, it looks right now, this mass frenzy here is going to take away the profits for this summer."
Asay says even though there are no documented cases of H1N1 in hogs in this country, if there were, cooking pork products to an internal temperature of at least 160-degrees Fahrenheit would have solved that -- much like with the mad cow disease outbreak of several years ago.
Knox County Health Department officials said Friday morning there were ZERO confirmed or probable cases of H1N1 in residents locally, despite rumors to the contrary already reaching a fever pitch.
To read the Health Department's full statement, CLICK HERE.
For Health Department flu prevention tips, CLICK HERE. |
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| 05 01 09 by Newsroom |
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