BY JENNIFER WEINGART
As many communities prepare for their local fairs, health officials are expressing concern over a new strain of flu virus that is spread by swine.
Like the H1N1 virus of a few years ago, H3N2V spreads among pigs and can spread from pigs to humans.
Last year, over 200 cases of this virus were reported. 16 of those were hospitalized. One patient died.
Dr. Robert Graham is the medical director of the Mid-Michigan District Health Department. He said fair-goers don't need to stay away from the pig areas, just be cautious.
"I wouldn't be freaked out about it. I mean, I would just take a few minor precautions. I think that would be sufficient that you could still enjoy the agricultural fairs," Graham said.
Graham said people who are at higher risk, like the elderly, pregnant women, young children and people with immunocompromising conditions, should avoid swine areas.
Pigs that appear sick should not be brought to fairs, Graham said, but he stressed that the disease cannot be caught by eating pork.