Living with chickens and pigs increases my SWINE FLU risk?

[paxicotrader]

My father sent me an email today warning me that farmers who keep both free range chickens and pigs are at higher risk for contracting swine flu. He encouraged me (and all our children) to get the swine flu vaccine.

I NEVER get any flu shot. Last time I had the flu was about 10 years ago. I don't consider myself high risk.

Anyone else heard this about poultry/pig farms?

Our is not a big operation. About 30 free-rangers and 4 pigs.

 

[1stepcloser]

Absolutely NOT. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

 

[robbdebbie]

That is just a urban legend. My family actually got the swine flu, and it was pretty awful for about 2 days. I would not get the vaccine myself had I not gotten it. I have been allergic to vaccines previously, so that is my reasoning why I don't get any flu shots. I would say it is a personal choice, but the livestock doesn't increase your odds of getting it.

 

[paxicotrader]

I just found this article
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/04/27/swine-flu-fun-facts.html

Quote: "But from what I've read, and from the researchers I've spoken with, it seems more likely that H1N1 would have been created in the communal barn of a SMALL FARM, than in a giant hog-only factory farm shed."

Ok, so is it bad that sometimes a few of our chickens get in the hog pen?

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

THE H1N1 VIRUS IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE FLU THAT NORMALLY CIRCULATES IN NORTH AMERICAN PIGS

Please stop referring to it as the "Swine Flu".

 

[Debraregypt]

My father sent me an email today warning me that farmers who keep both free range chickens and pigs are at higher risk for contracting swine flu. He encouraged me (and all our children) to get the swine flu vaccine.

I NEVER get any flu shot. Last time I had the flu was about 10 years ago. I don't consider myself high risk.

Anyone else heard this about poultry/pig farms?

Our is not a big operation. About 30 free-rangers and 4 pigs.

Absolutely ... Birds can't pass flu to humans unless it mutates within the pig first. My Grandpa always said keep the chickens away from the pigs because you can't catch the avian flu unless it first mutates in the pig. 1958 my Grandpa said every pig farmer knows that .. he farmed in MO. - This site somewhat explains https://bondlsc.missouri.edu/2020/10/05/influenza-how-it-transmits-from-birds-to-pigs/

 

[Debraregypt]

Absolutely ... Birds can't pass flu to humans unless it mutates within the pig first. My Grandpa always said keep the chickens away from the pigs because you can't catch the avian flu unless it first mutates in the pig. 1958 my Grandpa said every pig farmer knows that .. he farmed in MO.

Most State Fares are held late summer.... pigs/chickens are close quartered and that's why many human flu's got passed years ago.