A/H1N1 Detected in Live Pigs Imported into Singapore
SINGAPORE - Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has detected the pandemic A(H1N1) virus in some pigs imported into Singapore from Indonesia's Pulau Bulan.
3 September 2009
2 minute read
The AVA said that the pigs were imported into Singapore from Indonesia's Pulau Bulan, but added that the pork available here is safe for consumption, because the A/H1N1 virus is not transmitted through the handling and consumption of pork and pork products, according to the TV broadcaster Channel NewsAsia.
The AVA said it would take part in a comprehensive disease surveillance program, led by the Indonesian authority, to identify and isolate affected pig houses.
The AVA also noted that Singapore has adequate sources of pork supplies from 25 countries. Singapore's import of 1,000 pigs daily from Pulau Bulan constitutes some 20 per cent of the total pork consumed here.
Singapore reported its first confirmed human case of the flu A/H1N1 on 27 May. The country's first A/H1N1 related death case was reported on 18 July.
