No evidence reported linking pork to swine flu, expert says

• By TOMMY C. SIMMONS
• Advocate food editor
• Published: Apr 30, 2009

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There is no evidence that swine influenza can be transmitted through eating pork or pork products, according to LSU AgCenter Extension Nutrition Specialist Beth Reames.

The Advocate Food staff talked with Reames Monday about public concerns regarding the safety of eating pork in light of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and some U.S. cities.

Reames answered the most frequently asked questions and referred readers to the USDA site at http://www.usda.gov.

Can someone get swine flu from handling raw pork roast or pork chops?
There is no evidence at this time that touching uncooked pork could infect someone with the virus.

Can someone get swine flu from eating smoked pork or bacon?
There is no evidence that eating cooked pork, whether smoked, baked, grilled, boiled, pickled or fried, can infect someone with the swine flu virus. The United States Department of Agriculture says on the USDA Web site http://www.usda.gov that “Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food, so you cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees kills all viruses.”

How do you prevent other food spoilage- or contaminated food-related illness, such as the flu-like symptoms from salmonella bacterial contamination of undercooked pork?
Reames cited the USDA recommendations: “Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw pork.

“Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw pork away from other foods; use a food thermometer to ensure pork has reached a safe internal temperature of at least 160 degrees to kill foodborne germs that might be present.”

What are some flu prevention tips?
Reames said people should review tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for preventing flu. “People often forget how important handwashing is in preventing spread of disease,” she said.

Here are the tips from the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm:

• There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.