Canada flu cases at 85, first human-to-animal infection reported

Source: Xinhua | 05-03-2009 11:11

OTTAWA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Canada on Saturday announced a surge of confirmed H1N1 flu cases to 85 while the country reported the globe's first human-to-animal infections.

More than 200 pigs on a farm in the western province of Alberta have been infected with the new flu, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Saturday at a press conference in Ottawa.

Federal officials believe the animals contracted the virus from a Canadian worker who returned from Mexico on April 12 and arrived on the farm two days later, showing flu symptoms shortly thereafter, said Brian Evans, Canada's chief veterinary officer, at the news conference.

Both the worker and the approximately 220 infected pigs are recovering, but the animals have been quarantined to prevent possible transfer to humans, said Evans.

He stressed that "the chance that these pigs could transfer the virus to a person is remote. Nevertheless, we're following an appropriately measured approach."

He assured that "consumption of pork is not considered a route of transmission to humans," urging other countries not to ban Canadian pork.