State Fair officials work to keep out Swine Flu
Posted at: 09/14/2012 6:26 PM
| Updated at: 09/14/2012 6:40 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4
The first hogs began arriving at the New Mexico State fair Friday, amid worries about a swine flu outbreak at other fairs in other states.
Right out of the chute, we should get one thing straight: There is no swine flu at the New Mexico State Fair, and farmers and state livestock inspectors aim to keep it that way.
The gogs entering this year's Fair have just been thoroughly inspected by state eveterinarians, on top of at least one vetrinary inspection back at home on the farm.
No snivelling, sneezing, or coughing. No unpiglike loss of appetite. These hogs are all abgout taking care of businjess - eating, sleeping, getting fat.
"Not worried, not worried at all, not any," said farmer and rancher L.A. Davis of Clovis. "I mean you got symptoms to look for. First thing you're gonna see, you're gonna see the pig start looking sick, foaming at the mouth. Dairy cows, beef cows, same thing."
"Swine flu, it's out there," State Livestock Deputy Director Bobby Pierece said. "It hasn't been in this part of the country. We've been very lucky. In the Midwest they raise a lot more swine than we do here and they have bigger shows. They handle 'em different. It has popped up, it is a concern."
At least 305 Americans have come down with swine flu in 10 states this summer - many of them after attending swine events at state and county fairs.
One woman died in Ohio. But again - no sign of it here.
Still, you can't be 100 percent certain, and so the State Fair has set up more handwashing stations than you've ever seen in your life, especially in the livestock barns.
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