Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Australia shuts piggery after flu outbreak

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-03 18:46

SYDNEY: The New South Wales (NSW) Department of Primary Industries announced on Monday that a piggery hit by A(H1N1) flu would be locked down until all signs of the virus have been eradicated.

Quarantine measures at the 2,000-animal property in Dunedoo, in the state's central west, will remain in place for seven days after the last infected pig returns to full health.

Full Coverage:  Flu Pandemic Outbreak Related readings:  WHO: Pregnant women priority group for H1N1 immunization  7 children confirmed with A/H1N1 in Beijing  6 US high schoolers hospitalized for H1N1 flu in China  Saudi Arabia reports 1st H1N1 flu death  Australia starts H1N1 flu vaccine trials

The piggery has been quarantined since Friday after laboratory tests confirmed the animals had the virus.

Healthy animals will be allowed to move from the property for slaughter during the quarantine period, but only after meeting stringent protocols and a veterinary inspection.

"Under the plan, pigs will not move from the property until they have returned to full health and are completely free of clinical signs of the flu," acting chief veterinary officer Ian Roth said in a statement.

"We will continue to monitor the health of the pigs and once sure they are no longer suffering the flu and they have recovered fully for seven days, the quarantine measures will be reconsidered. "

It is believed that workers at the piggery may have transmitted the virus to the animals. However, Roth said it was safe for people to eat pork.