WASHINGTON – Veterinary officials in Oregon and the US Department of Agriculture investigated positive cases of H5N1 in a mix of poultry and livestock, including swine.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) confirmed last week that poultry in a backyard farm operation in Crooks County, Ore., were positive for H5N1. Then, on Oct. 29, the National Veterinary Service Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed that one of the five pigs tested positive for H5N1, the first detection of H5N1 in swine in the United States.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) explained in its report that the livestock and poultry at the Oregon farm shared water sources, housing, and equipment, which enabled transmission between species. Even with the swine not showing any symptoms or signs of illness, the Oregon Department of Health and the USDA tested the five swine for H5N1 out of an abundance of caution along with the presence of the virus in other animals on the farm.

“The swine were euthanized to facilitate additional diagnostic analysis. Test results were negative for two of the pigs, and test results are still pending for two others,” APHIS stated. “This farm is a non-commercial operation, and the animals were not intended for the commercial food supply. There is no concern about the safety of the nation’s pork supply as a result of this finding.”

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) reassured people that the pork supply is still safe after the findings by the USDA and other state agencies.

“The confirmed case in Oregon poses no threat to consumer health or food safety; properly handled and cooked pork products remain safe for consumption,” said Bryan Humphreys, chief executive officer for NPPC. “The entire pork industry remains committed to safeguarding food safety and human and animal health.”

The trade association pointed out that with on-farm biosecurity in place, the pork industry continues to work alongside APHIS since 2009 on a swine influenza surveillance program to identify influenza viruses circulating in swine, proactively detect reassortment viruses that could impact public health, and gain knowledge to contribute to improved animal health diagnostics and vaccines.

“Pork producers have always been proactive and diligent about implementing biosecurity plans as part of their daily production practices to assure animals wellbeing and food safety,” said Lori Stevermer, president of NPPC and Minnesota pork producer. “This detection serves as a reminder for producers of all sizes to understand and address influenza virus risks.” 

The agency confirmed that the farm has been quarantined to prevent H5N1 from spreading and that other animals like sheep and goats at the location are under surveillance.

At its laboratories, the NVSL conducted genomic sequencing of the virus from the poultry infected on the farm, with the sequencing determining that there are not any identifiable changes of the H5N1 virus that would suggest to the USDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it is more transmissible to humans.

Several local public health officials, state and federal agencies continue to coordinate on an investigation and will provide additional updates when available.

Near the end of its remarks, APHIS stated that the USDA approved two vaccine field safety trials for vaccine candidates designed to protect dairy cows against H5N1 and will continue exploring vaccine options for other species.