Possible swine flu concerns at county fairs

DE PERE - Fair season is in full swing in Wisconsin. But amongst the cotton candy and corn dogs, are worries about disease. Specifically, a couple cases of the swine flu.

They came out of the State Fair in West Allis. Two people got sick with a new strain of the swine flu. They are a worker, and someone who was showing animals at the State Fair.

The worker is from southeast Wisconsin, and claims to not have had any direct contact with an animal. The other person showing animals lives in western Wisconsin.

The State Fair started August 1, and wrapped up last Saturday.

And with many fairs going on in Northeast Wisconsin there is concern about the possibility of swine flu in our part of state.

There are about 80 pigs on display at the Brown County Fair. Jeremiah Plansky and his three children are here to see them all.

"The kids like the barnyard animals and stuff. Got to see a lot of nice animals. Every cage is a new animal, even though it's the same animal," said Jeremiah Plansky of Little Suamico.

But news of two confirmed cases of swine flu at the State Fair has officials here on alert.

Food is not allowed in the swine barn and there's more.

"We've put up signage if you've noticed signage here helps people know what's going on. And hand-washing stations, we have hand-washing stations so they can wash their hands," said Jerry Kabat, Brown County Fair swine superintendent.

There about fifty hand washing stations. The fair director says that is double the number last year.

The new strain of swine flu is called H3N2, and is considered to be milder than its H1N1 relative.
Swine can get symptoms.

"Coughing, respiratory issues, elevated temperatures," said Mark Hagedorn, Brown County UW-Extension agriculture agent.

And pass them on to people.

"You can have an upset stomach, a temperature those kinds of things. A person can certainly feel poorly, but it doesn't have as significant ramifications," said Hagedorn.

The swine superintendent says all pigs are vet tested before and during the fair.

"Vets come through everyday and she visually inspects all the hogs to make sure. Both days she's been through already. Has no issues at all," said Kabat.

Fair officials say if any hog develops symptoms, it will be removed from the fair.

"You're hearing good clear-clean lungs in the animals. No coughing, no respiratory issues. That's the way we want to keep it," said Hagedorn.

Jeremiah Planksy says he's not going to let the possibility of swine flu ruin his family's time at the fair.

"Some people just too worried about the little things. I think you just have to live life sometimes," said Plansky.