UP Ibalon Bicol: Egypt’s slaughter of pigs to prevent swine flu criticized

Egypt’s slaughter of pigs to prevent swine flu criticized

5/04/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Because there’s no evidence that pigs harbor the H1N1 virus that cause the swine flu, the killing of pigs isn’t necessary. That’s according to Barbara Straw, a professor of large animal clinical science at Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Her reaction comes on the wake of Egypt’s move to kill an estimated 300,000 swines which many consider as a knee-jerk reaction to the threat of influenza. Eating bacon, pork chops, or other pig products are not likely to cause swine flu. So far health authorities believe nothing like this is happening at this time.

"Killing (pigs) is not a solution, otherwise, we should kill the people, because the virus spreads through them," wrote Abdullah Kamal of the daily Rose El-Youssef.---- http://www.ynetnews.com

“Egypt, which has no swine flu cases, is the only country in the world to order a mass pig slaughter in response to the disease. The move mirrored Egypt's battle with bird flu, in which the government killed 25 million birds within weeks in 2006.”----AP (05/03/05, El-Tablawy, T)

A country of 80 million, Egypt doesn’t have a large hog industry and its predominant Muslim religion forbids the consumption of pig’s meat. Swine is the source of food of non-muslims, mostly Coptic Christians who comprise only a 10th of the population.

Egyptians are enraged over the Health department’s pig slaughter order which the public considers a reflection of the government ineptness in handling health emergencies. The World Health Organization (WHO) thinks the pig slaughter wasteful and unnecessary.

Though the swine flu appears to have slackened in its spread, more countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America have reported cases of the influenza. The reference of the disease as H1N1 viral flu is preferable than "swine flu" which is misleading and dampens the business of hog raisers. It is unclear if the infection will extend into the months of fall when the seasonal flu comes along. (Photo Credit: AP/ Nouri, N) =0=

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Labels: Christians, Coptic Chrisitians, Egypt, epidemic, H1N1 virus, Health, influenza virus, pig slaughter, prevention, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, virus, WHO

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Egypt’s slaughter of pigs to prevent swine flu criticized

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