Media, For the Last Time, It’s H1N1, Not Swine Flu
As I was driving to the Twin Cities this weekend to attend the Minnesota Beef Expo, the radio was nonstop news about a show pig that was infected with the H1N1 virus. Cheers to the one radio station that reminded consumers that 1) H1N1 has been incorrectly named the swine flu, even though it’s a virus that originates from people, birds and pigs, and 2) You can not get H1N1 from eating pork. However, every other report I heard on the radio or the news referred to it as both H1N1 and the swine flu. I don’t care if it’s easier to say, continuing to repeat the incorrect name because it’s convenient is absolutely destructive to the animal agriculture industry. My support goes out to America’s pork producers, and I have gathered some important reference materials for all of you to read and pass on in your email lists. For the last time, media, it’s H1N1, not swine flu. Thank you.
News about recent H1N1 flu virus in Minnesota pigs…
USDA Confirms H1N1 Flu Virus in Minn. Hog, by Ag Web
USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed the presence of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in a pig sample collected at the Minnesota State Fair submitted by the University of Minnesota. Additional samples are being tested. “We have fully engaged our trading partners to remind them that several international organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health, have advised that there is no scientific basis to restrict trade in pork and pork products,” said USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack in announcing the positive sample. “People cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products. Pork is safe to eat.”
Virus Confirmed In Minnesota Pig, by NPR
It’s now official: at least one pig in Minnesota has been confirmed to have had the swine flu virus, according to the Agriculture Department Monday. A sample from a pig which was at the Minnesota State Fair has tested positive for the H1N1 virus infection by scientists using the most accurate methods available. The Agriculture Department was quick to point out, however, that the presence of the virus in a show pig doesn’t mean commercial herds are infected since show animals don’t mix with their commercial cousins.
H1N1 Flu Virus Quick Facts, by National Hog Farmer
The swine flu outbreak is an inappropraite name because hogs are not the source. An outbreak of a hybrid form of swine influenza has not affected the safety of pork, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. President Barack Obama says that the threat of swine flu spreading is a cause for concern but “not a cause for alarm” as the United States works to closely monitor borders to contain it.
BEEF Daily Quick Fact: Pork is safe to eat; to enjoy pork recipes, link to The Other White Meat.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Amamda
Although you are correct that H1N1 is miss named technically as swine flue, history is against you. In 1918 the flu killed between 20 and 100 million people world wide. It was the largest disaster ever. It killed more Americans than were killed in battle in World War 1 World War 2, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. This flu was know as the “Spanish Flu” although it didn’t have anything to do with Spanish people or the country. It was diagnosed in San Sebastian, Spain and because they didn’t censor their war time news it got reported. The press picked up on it and it became the Spanish Flu. We still call it that today. (source FLU by Gina Kolata). I think the name Swine Flu is going to stick.
Gerald Poppy, DVM, MBA
October 20th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Thanks, Amanda, for helping to set the record straight. We are pork producers as well as cattle producers in NC, and we are really feeling the punch of the media incorrectly using the term “swine flu” for H1N1. Our local stations are using the correct term, but the major networks are not. I have emailed asking them to change to the correct terms, but NO RESPONSE. Unfortunately, I link the media with our out-of-touch politicians. Sensationalism gets ratings I guess! It is a sad situation for our country.
October 20th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Amanda
I agree with you 110% … H1N1! I correct everyone I come into contact with that refers to the virus as the “other name”.
I am very disappointed with our National and Local Media that continue to use the swine flu term. I have also noted that they call it swine flu some days and H1N1 on other days.
I wish there was a way to convey the message to the media about the tramatic effect the term “swine flu” has had on the Pork Industry.
Robyn Goddard
South Dakota Cattle Producer and MBA
October 21st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Amanda,
I think Dr. Poppy is probably right - history tells us folks using the “swine flu” name will be like fighting a snowball rolling downhill. None the less we must continue to articulate the facts.
The name misperception is exacerbated by the fact that the CDC currently has a video available by link to You Tube from their web page entitled what to do if you get sick from H1N1 (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm). While the web page itself appropriately uses the term H1N1 throughout, the one video it links to by Dr. Joe Bresee, CDC Influenza Division, ONLY refers to it as SWINE flu. Not one single time does this video use the term H1N1 while the 3 minute 25 second video includes 16 instances of the term “Swine Flu”. Regretably the video never addresses the misperception or origins of the name in the course of this “educational” offering.
I would also note that the video is 5 months old and made me wonder aloud why it had not been updated in the intervening months.
Unfortunatley the animal protein industry can educate and protest all we want but some (most?) in the media will consider anything we say as suspect and will only follow the lead of govt and “official” web sites. It is worth noting that this You Tube video has had 1,770,158 viewings - each one broadcasting the term Swine Flu 16 times. And we wonder why there is a problem……..
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