ARCHIVE: Swine flu (Swine influenza)
Swine flu (swine influenza) is a disease of pigs caused by a virus (influenza virus). 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. Type A strains can also infect other species, including people, although the strains of virus involved are usually different.
The current pandemic of new variant human flu virus is most similar to swine influenza viruses, which may be why the term swine fever/flu is being used. There is currently no evidence that pigs are involved in spreading this disease to humans. To date all spread appears to have been from human to human.
Latest situation - Information on the latest situation on Swine Flu.
- Swine Influenza surveillance
- World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
- Department of Health
- Health Protection Agency
- Food Standards advice
Page last modified: October 29, 2009