Yesterday,
the U.S.
Dep. of
Homeland
Security
declared a
public
health
emergency
after
confirming
20 cases of
a new
variant of
swine flu in
five states.
Human cases
of swine
influenza A
(H1N1) virus
infection
have been
identified
in the
United
States
and
internationally.
The
Centers for
Disease
Control (CDC)
is working
closely with
officials in
the U.S.
(where
human cases
of swine
influenza A
(H1N1) have
been
identified),
along with
health
officials in
Mexico,
Canada,
and
from the
World Health
Organization.
Stringent food
safety practices,
including good
employee hygiene,
are
critical when
handling
produce. All
Markon brand
suppliers adhere
to good
agricultural
practices (GAP)
and good
handling
practices (GHP)
within their
operations.
Here are some
key
points regarding
the swine flu:
-
Swine flu is
not a food
safety
issue.
-
Transmission
is generally
through human-to-human
contact.
-
Swine
influenza
virus is not
transmitted
by food.
-
The
virus
cannot
be
spread
by
eating
pork
that has
been
properly
prepared.
-
The
virus
cannot
be
spread
by
eating
produce
that has
been
properly
handled.
The CDC
recommends the
following:
·
Cover your nose
and mouth with a
tissue when you
cough or
sneeze. Throw
the tissue in
the trash after
you use it.
·
Wash your hands
often with soap
and water,
especially after
you cough or
sneeze.
Alcohol-based
hands cleaners
are also
effective.
·
Avoid touching
your eyes, nose,
or mouth.
·
Try to avoid
close contact
with sick
people.
Influenza is
thought to
spread mainly
person-to-person
through coughing
or sneezing of
infected people.
·
If you get sick,
CDC recommends
that you stay
home from work
or school and
limit contact
with others to
keep from
infecting them.
Additional
information can
be found on
these web sites:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/