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/
Thank you!
