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Virus-Wary Egypt to Destroy All 300K Pigs

USDA says American pork is safe; Russia, China ban imports

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 29, 2009 9:16 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The Egyptian government says it will immediately slaughter the country’s entire population of 300,000 pigs to protect against the swine flu, the AP reports. Egypt has stressed that it has no reported cases of the virus, though two infections have been confirmed in neighboring Israel. The move comes as countries around the globe look to restrict the import of pork products from the US.

China and Russia are banning imports from certain US states as the American government seeks to allay fears, USA Today reports. “It is perfectly safe to consume pork and pork products from America,” said Tom Vilsack, noting that fears have been misplaced. “This really isn't swine flu,” the agriculture secretary continued, and should be referred to by its scientific name, H1N1 virus—as President Obama did this morning.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.   (AP Photo)
A South Korean quarantine officer, left, checks the temperature of Japanese passenger against the possible infection of the swine flu at Incheon International Airport in Seoul.
A South Korean quarantine officer, left, checks the temperature of Japanese passenger against the possible infection of the swine flu at Incheon International Airport in Seoul.   (AP Photo)
An Egyptian carries a pig at a private farm in Cairo.
An Egyptian carries a pig at a private farm in Cairo.   (AP Photo)
An Egyptian Health worker sprays chemicals to disinfect local pigs in Cairo.
An Egyptian Health worker sprays chemicals to disinfect local pigs in Cairo.   (AP Photo)
Egyptian pigs.
Egyptian pigs.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
AllisonMW
Apr 30, 2009 3:49 AM CDT
This is in EGYPT-PETA has no jurisdiction there-sorry. Again, the move is a bit extreme, and the US has said that the flu cannot be caught by eating pork, but it's still a bigger stance than the US is taking, I feel.
Jeebus
Apr 29, 2009 10:21 AM CDT
Not everybody has the luxury of taking a day off when they're sick. Tens of millions of working Americans don't get paid sick days, and can't afford to miss work because of the flu.
psycada
Apr 29, 2009 6:25 AM CDT
That is because there really isn't much more to do than that, besides loading up on Vitamin D. Slaughtering 300,00 pigs is asanine. Where is PETA on this one?

 
China • Russia • Egypt • imports • USDA • Tom Vilsack • Department of Agriculture • Obama administration • President Obama • swine flu • pork products • slaughter • H1N1 virus

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