Press Release

Get Your Flu Shot

Ottawa, Ontario - November 30, 2010 - Flu season is once again upon us. Getting the flu shot is a simple thing pork producers and their farm workers can do to protect both pigs and people against the flu.

“It just makes good sense to try to keep workers healthy,” says Florian Possberg, Chair of the Canadian Swine Health Board. “Annual seasonal flu vaccinations should become a best management practice on farms as described in the recently released National Swine Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard. It fits perfectly into a worker safety program and a herd health program.”

Vaccinations protect people against influenza viruses and lessen the chances of workers transmitting the virus to pigs. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three of the most likely seasonal flu viruses expected to be in abundance this season.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says “annual immunization is the safest and most effective way to prevent infection, to reduce the severity of your symptoms if you do get sick, and to keep from spreading the virus to others.” A complete checklist for flu prevention is available at www.fightflu.ca.

Seasonal influenza viruses are highly contagious and they affect millions of Canadians every year. Do what you can to protect yourself, your workers and your pigs. Get the flu shot.

The CSHB was formed to proactively address swine health challenges through leadership, coordination and support in the management of the health of the Canadian swine herd. Its members include the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians, the Canadian Association of Veterinary Colleges, the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement, the Canadian Meat Council and the Canadian Pork Council.

For more information, contact:
Robert Harding, Executive Director
Canadian Swine Health Board
613.230.4445 ext 267
harding@swinehealth.ca