15 June 2009
DAFF09/276B

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today said he had been advised it now appeared the H1N1 influenza virus was transferred from a human to pigs in Alberta, Canada.

He said scientists had reported no evidence of other pigs being infected in the field and the Canadian incident remained isolated. 

Based on the Canadian case and scientific research in the European Union, it appeared the disease was quite mild in the pigs in Canada and there was a low rate of infection.

The World Organization for Animal Health and the World Health Organization have not changed their advice that: “To-date there is no evidence that the virus is transmitted by food.”

The Australian Government will continue to closely assess the latest advice.