Protect animal and human health during flu season

OTTAWA, December 7, 2011: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is highlighting the important role that human vaccinations can play in a producer's biosecurity program.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that all healthy Canadians over the age of six months get the seasonal flu shot. The flu shot offers the best protection against the flu virus. It can help protect everyone involved in the food production system, including

• producers and their families
• farm workers
• veterinarians
• farm service personnel, including feed truck drivers and vaccination and insemination crews
• other people visiting swine operations

Some influenza viruses can be transmitted between people and animals, and between different species of animals. By getting the seasonal flu shot, you can help reduce opportunities for the transmission of influenza viruses between people and animals.

Even if you got the flu shot last year, you should get it again this year. Getting the flu shot every year is important because the vaccine is reformulated to protect against the most current strains of the virus. Contact your local public health authority for details on flu shot clinics in your community.

Individuals with flu-like symptoms should:

• avoid contact with livestock, particularly sick animals
• contact their physician for more information.

Anyone who works with livestock can also protect their animals by following sound biosecurity practices, including

• controlling movements of people, animals, equipment and vehicles on their property
• observing animals daily for signs of disease
• calling a veterinarian if animals appear to be sick

For more information on animal biosecurity, visit www.inspection.gc.ca/biosecurity or call the Canadian Food Inspection Agency toll-free at 1-800-442-2342.

See the Public Health Agency of Canada's new seasonal flu guide for everything you need to know about protecting yourself and others from infection. For more information on the flu, visit fightflu.ca.