All imports of pork products from Alberta province, Canada, have been banned by Chinese authorities. The Ministry of Agriculture says this is a precaution to stem the spread of swine flu, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) found H1N1 flu virus (swine flu) in a swine herd in Alberta.
Canadian authorities stress that Canadian pork is safe to eat. Experts say the pigs were most likely infected by a human worker who had recently returned from Mexico. The worker has recovered. All the pigs have either recovered or are recovering well, authorities say.
Influenza viruses do not have an effect on the safety of pork and pork meat products, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). As with any uncooked meat, pork should always be correctly handled and cooked to get rid of a range of food safety concerns.
Mexico as chartered a plane to bring home 70 of its citizens who were seized and quarantined in China. Mexican authorities complained that the swine flu outbreak is no excuse for treating its citizens repressively and in such a discriminatory way.
Mexican authorities added that the swine flu epidemic appears to be waning. However, World Health Organization (WHO) officials say it is too early to lower our guard.
- See our Map Of H1N1 Outbreaks
- See our Mexico Swine Flu Blog
Written by Christian Nordqvist