Find out about swine influenza in pigs.
Swine Flu and Food Safety
Swine flu cannot be transmitted by eating pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork is perfectly safe.
Consumers and food handlers should continue to follow normal food hygiene precautions when handling, preparing and cooking all foods, including cooking raw meat to 70°C.
For further information, including Fitness to Work guidance for food handlers, go to the Food Standards Agency website.
Swine Flu and Animal Health
Influenza viruses exist as various types and the most common type found in pigs is Type A. The virus is present in all pig producing countries, including the UK.
The current pandemic of new variant human flu virus is most similar to swine influenza viruses, which may be why the term swine fever or flu is being used, but there is currently no evidence that pigs are involved in spreading this disease to humans.
For information about swine flu in pigs and other animal diseases, go to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website, or telephone the DEFRA helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
Farmers - Give Disease the Boot
DEFRA's Give Disease the Boot awareness campaign has information for farmers and landowners on a range of animal diseases and advice on how best to protect the health of livestock animals.
The DEFRA Animal Health Disease Alerts Service includes a telephone helpline, recorded information line, messaging services and a subscription alerts service.
