Department of Agriculture: No Sick Animals Reported

The state Department of Agriculture on Tuesday said there have been no reports of sick animals in the wake of linked to the Washington County Agricultural Fair.

“There has been no scientific link to swine at the fair (and these cases),” said Department of Agriculture Press Secretary Samantha
Elliot Krepps. “All we know for sure is that they were all at the
fair.”

The first individual to become ill, announced on Friday, has fully recovered from the illness. Two other individuals, confirmed ill over the weekend, are recovering. All three are children who reported attending the Washington County Agricultural Fair the week of Aug. 13-20.

Reached Tuesday, a spokesman for the Department of Health said no
additional information was being released regarding the three cases.

But a release issued by a spokesman suggested people refrain from hitting the panic button regarding the strain spreading.

"Currently, we don’t have any evidence to support that this novel influenza A virus will lead to a pandemic, as we haven’t yet been able to prove that it is being transmitted from human to human," the release indicated. "As with any new influenza A virus, public health officials are working to learn more about the source of this particular strain and to determine how/if it can be spread from person to person."

As for vaccinations?

"The 2011‐2012 vaccine is the same as last year, covering two strains of influenza A (pandemic H1N1 and a H3N2 strain that has been circulating for a few years now) as well as a strain of influenza B," the release stated. "It is too early to tell whether or not this new strain will even need vaccination."

The cases in Pennsylvania are similar to previous, rare human
infections with swine-origin H3N2 viruses, but are unique in that they
contain a genetic component of the H1N1 virus.

A continuing investigation, which is being jointly undertaken by the
departments of Health and Agriculture, as well as the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, has not yet uncovered how the illness
was transmitted to the three individuals.

However, no additional human infections with this virus have been
identified to date.

Anyone who attended the Washington County Fair and has flu-like
symptoms should contact their local health care provider or call
1-877-PA-HEALTH.

Symptoms would be similar to that of seasonal influenza, and would
include fever, lethargy (extreme tiredness), lack of appetite and
coughing. Other influenza symptoms may include a runny nose, sore
throat, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The Department of Health and the CDC are conducting increased
surveillance and tracking in southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as
setting up informational booths about influenza at agricultural fairs,
while Department of Agriculture is continuing with monitoring the
health of animals at all exhibitions.

The Department of Health continues to urge the public to take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, while the Department of Agriculture reminds residents to remember to wash your hands after coming into contact with animals at fairs and in other public venues.

Editor's note: To view a complete copy of the fact sheet issued by the state Department of Health, click on the accompanying PDF.