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Canada: 1st pigs found with A(H1N1) flu virus

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-03 08:44

OTTAWA -- Some pigs in Canada have been found to be infected with the A(H1N1) flu, Canadian media reported Saturday citing government sources.

This has been the first time that the H1N1 flu virus has been found in pigs, the Canadian Press said, adding federal health officials will announce the news later Saturday.

Related readings:  Italy confirms first A(H1N1) flu case  Confirmed A (H1N1) flu cases rises to 15 in Spain  SKorea reports first confirmed H1N1 case  H1N1 virus may be less potent than first feared

The pigs are from a farm in the western province of Alberta, they were thought to be infected by a farm worker who had recently been to Mexico and fell ill upon his return, the sources said.

Genetic testing shows the pigs in Alberta were infected with the same virus responsible for cases in Mexico and other countries around the world.

Official confirmation of the pigs' infection is expected at a news conference scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Ottawa.

The H1N1 virus, which is made up of swine flu genes, is believed to have jumped to humans and has been passing person to person.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization dropped the term "swine flu" in favor of its scientific name "H1N1 influenza A."

Meanwhile, Canada's H1N1 flu caseload swelled Saturday as health officials confirmed a host of new cases in several provinces.

The total now stands at 83. All cases are mild and there have been no deaths.