Families headed to the Fowlerville Fair are urged to use caution.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development identified pigs at the Fowlerville Family Fair that tested positive for swine flu.
The Fowlerville Fair Board isolated infected pigs to prevent additional exposure. Officials say the Infected pigs began showing symptoms in the afternoon of Thursday, July 25 and laboratory results were confirmed late Friday afternoon.
The fair is scheduled from July 22 to July 27. At this time, all pigs have been removed from the fairgrounds and there are no reported human illnesses, according to Livingston County Health Department.
- Fair-goers were also exposed to the virus last year: Influenza A identified in two Michigan residents exposed to pigs at Fowlerville Family Fair
The Livingston County Health Department (LCHD), in coordination with the Fowlerville Fair Board and Michigan State University Extension, are reaching out to exhibitors and their families who participated at the Fowlerville Family Fair that may have been in close contact with the infected pigs. The LCHD is also instructing healthcare providers in the area to watch for patients presenting with respiratory symptoms who report exposure to swine or who visited the swine barn. In addition any individuals who attended the fair and were exposed to the pigs who begin to have influenza like symptoms should contact LCHD.
Right now, there is no vaccine for swine flu, and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against swine flu. But antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective in treating swine flu.
Here are several steps you can take to protect yourself and prevent the spread of any illness:
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcoholbased hand rub.
- Refrain from eating or drinking in livestock barns or show rings.
- Do not take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers, or similar items into pig areas.
- Anyone who is at high risk of serious flu complications and is planning to attend a fair should avoid pigs and swine barns.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- If you are sick, stay home from work or school until your illness is over.
- Avoid contact with pigs if you have flu-like symptoms. Wait seven days after your illness started or until you have been without fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, whichever is longer.
- Get an annual influenza vaccination
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