The swine flu that has the world in an uproar has been around for over ten years—at least in pig populations. In 1998, the first confirmed cases were found in a pig farm in North Carolina. No indication exists, however, that the swine flu can spread to any other species besides pigs and humans.
Because of current pig farming practices, which even in 1998 housed huge numbers of pigs together, the swine flu spread across the United States and world quickly and efficiently. Within months of detection, the swine flu was able to spread to 20% of the U.S. pig population—and in some areas 100%. 99% of pig farms today house over 1000 pigs—and some up to 5000 pigs. With these close quarters, the 1998 virus continued to mutate combining with human and avian flu viruses, turning into the swine flu of today.
Some countries, such as Denmark, limit the number of pigs that can be raised on a farm, but the United States and Mexico do not have any limits. In fact, the first outbreak of the swine flu that jumped to humans occurred close to the largest pig farm in Mexico: shipping out over 1 million pigs a year. The American Public Health Association and the United Nations have been warning about such farming practices for years, citing dangers to humans for the spread of disease. Those warnings fell on deaf ears.
The “I told you so’s” are probably of little consolation to the 30 families who have lost loved ones to the swine flu.
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