title: Prevalence and risk factors for swine influenza virus infection in the English pig population.
abstract: Infection of pigs with influenza viruses is a cause of considerable economic loss for pig farmers as well as a potential human health concern - as evidenced by the identification of genetic material derived from swine-adapted influenza viruses in an novel strain of H1N1 influenza virus in 2009. A study was conducted investigating the prevalence of influenza virus infection in a selection of 143 English pig herds between April 2008 and April 2009, which found evidence of recent virus circulation in over half of these herds (n=75). Farms which were sampled in the Summer months were found to have lower odds of recent virus circulation, as were farms containing pigs kept in straw yards. Additionally, farms containing pigs kept indoors and farms containing high numbers of finisher pigs per water space were found to have higher odds of recent virus circulation. It is hoped that further studies will expand on these findings, and may allow targeting of surveillance for influenza viruses in the English pig population.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Group, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, United Kingdom; University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine; Veterinary Laboratories Agency; Veterinary Laboratories Agency - Weybridge, UK and Combating Swine Influenza Initiative consortium (under the lead of Ian H. Brown, Veterinary Laboratories Agency-Weybridge,UK, and James Wood, University of Cambridge, UK).
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mastin
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alarcon
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wieland