Swine Flu: Is the pig guilty?

For years, pigs have been ridiculed, degraded and demonized by human beings. In the Middle East and other Arabian countries, it is forbidden, due to religious beliefs, to eat or own pigs because they are considered dirty and filthy. In truth, the animals are not filthy but that’s an argument for another day.

The English figure of speech, ‘flying pig’ has been used every so often in many countries. The term, which is used to suggest complete impossibility, ridicules pigs because of their weight. And now, the cursed animals have a whole influenza virus named after them! The virus was reported to have caused 8,012 deaths and 1,037,712 cases worldwide on 23rd November 2009, in more than 207 countries and overseas territories and communities. A close look at some facts about the pandemic H1N1 2009 Influenza Virus will show that the pigs are not responsible for its spread.

On 3rd June 2009, a scientific consultation via teleconference was hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in order to assess the potential risk of the virus. From their consensus statements we realize that pigs have practically nothing to do with its fast spreading pace. Let’s go through some of the facts.
While it is true that humans can become infected through close contact with ill pigs infected with the H1 N1 virus and showing influenza- like signs, such occurrences are rarely documented through current surveillance systems.

Here’s a surprising fact. When a human being eats the meat of an infected pig he/she will not be infected with the virus. This is because Influenza viruses are generally restricted to the respiratory tract of pigs and are not detected in muscle (meat) of pigs even during acute illness. Heat treatments commonly used in cooking meat (e.g. 70C/160F core temperature) will readily inactivate viruses and other pathogens potentially present in raw pork products.

Many have argued that being in an environment where pigs are bred can expose one to contracting the virus. Well, they should be pleased to know that they are wrong because the risk of humans becoming infected from contamination reaching the environment (e.g. through manure) is minimal as influenza viruses are not usually shed in faeces of the pig.

From the above facts we see that the pigs have little to do with the spread of the virus. They are innocent. In fact, they are vulnerable to getting infected with the virus by human beings! People ill with influenza have reportedly infected pigs with influenza viruses. Thought these cases have not been well documented, those working with pigs should follow the same advice given to the general public. Stay at home if you exhibit flu- like symptoms.

So the next time you say Swine Flu, Pig Influenza, Swine Influenza, Pig flu or Hog Flu out loud, know that you are condemning an innocent animal by giving it a label it does not deserve.

Working Animals: Powering Developing Nations

Around 100 million of working animals- horses, donkeys, oxen and mules are the engines that power the developing world by laboring on its farms and roads. Hundreds of millions of poor people depend on these animals for their livelihoods. They transport everything from people, produce and building materials to food, water and even fuel.

They are the key means by which the agriculture and food distribution systems in poor nations function. They enable crops to be sown, to be transported from field to market, and, from market to home. Donkeys’ assistance in traditionally time consuming and arduous domestic chores like fetching water from often distant sources and gathering firewood helps give women and their daughters more time and opportunity to earn extra money for community involvement. This is an important aspect of raising female status.

‘For us women a donkey should be our first friend for it takes away the loads that used to crush our backs’ said a woman participant in Limuru, Kenya during a donkey Humane Education campaign by Africa Network for Animal Welfare. Welfare Even as the working animals become more important in developing countries to alleviate poverty, assure food security and promote self reliance, their welfare continues to deteriorate in the hands of brutal, crude and careless owners and users.

The working animals are overworked and endure whipping to force them to walk faster with heavy loads on the rough terrain and high slopes. They are made to work even when they have injuries that include swollen necks due to overloading/overworking and wounded backs as a result of whipping.

They go for years without a visit to the vet. The many hours spent working is rarely compensated by sufficient feeding and rest. In essence all their five freedoms are abused with impunity.

Could owners and users of working animals STOP THIS WICKEDNESS? Humane Education by animal welfare organizations in Africa is key to influencing these much needed attitude change. This will ensure that animals are respected and treated humanely as sentient beings.