Pork farmers concerned about H1N1

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. pork producers say they'll seek vaccinations for farm workers to prevent the H1N1 swine flu virus from infecting their hogs.

Pigs aren't spreading the virus, but they can catch it from people and a vaccine for pigs won't be developed in time for this fall's flu season, Jennifer Greiner, a spokeswoman for the National Pork Producers Council said.

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are evaluating an experimental H1N1 vaccine for hogs, but that vaccine isn't expected to be ready until late winter, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

The demand for pork has dropped since April when the H1N1 virus began spreading from Mexico. Further damage could be done if pigs start getting sick this fall, even though there is no danger of market contamination, USDA chief veterinarian John Clifford told the Journal.

The H1N1 virus was dubbed swine flu because it comes from a strain traditionally found in hogs, though the current H1N1 strain contains swine, human and avian viral genes.