Although I don't claim to be an authority on swine flu, I will share what information has been forwarded to me concerning swine flu from the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), our Mississippi VMA and the Mississippi State Board of Health.

First, let's define the outbreak that has caused great concern. At this writing, the deaths in Mexico linked to swine flu have caused many of us to be wary of its potential spread worldwide, since travelers are on the go internationally nowadays.

Although there has only been one confirmed death in the United States from the H1N1, or swine flu, at this writing there have been almost 300 confirmed cases within our borders. True to form, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia have reported cases, so the flu has traveled pretty much worldwide.

The AVMA has been quick to point out that exposure to pigs and consumption of pork are not the routes of infection that have caused these cases. Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA stated in a release this past Friday (May 1) that "there have been no outbreaks in U.S. swine herds, although surveillance has been stepped up, and that swine producers will be keeping in close contact with both state and federal animal health officials."

CNN did report on Sunday that a Canadian pork producer had infected swine, and this infection was thought to be derived from human contact.

"It's unfortunate that this flu strain is being called "swine flu," because the virus is a combination of viruses including swine, poultry and human influenzas," explains Dr. Brett Marsh, the Indiana state veterinarian. "The reality is, that swine flu hasn't been found in the swine populations of the U.S."

Jamie Stennis, speaking on behalf of the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association stated that "we must be vigilant, and as always, practice good hygiene when preparing meals. Otherwise, there is no reason to question the safety of your food." As always, pork must be handled cleanly, hands washed after handling, and internal meat temperature should exceed 160 degrees.

Other information that has been forwarded from the Mississippi Department of Health and the USDA: Dogs and cats are not considered at risk for getting this infection from humans, nor are they considered a source for the H1N1 virus.

—If pigs were to have the virus, similar symptoms to people would be present: fever, depression, upper respiratory symptoms and going off feed.

—All human cases reported thus far are from cases where people did not have any direct contact with pigs (at least at this writing).

—Pot bellied pigs may be susceptible, and owners of these are asked to stay vigilant, mainly because of the close pet-like relationship many people have with these smaller pigs.

—The incubation period (time from first exposure to outbreak of symptoms) is a range of 1-8 days.

—Since Mexico has reported the most concentration of cases and subsequent deaths from swine flu, travelers have been asked to suspend any non-essential travel to Mexico.

That's where we as veterinarians stand on the H1N1 virus, better-known as swine flu. My hope and prayer is that we will have this story off the front page and more to the back page of the news. More specifically, due to international cooperation, and stepped-up public health responses, we hope to see less documented cases, and, yes, few fatalities from the virus.

Time will tell.