Recent news headlines have focused on the H1N1 flu that has been confirmed in several countries.

Until just a few days ago it was commonly referred to as swine flu. Most reports now refer to the virus as H1N1. This might not be as glamorous of a name — not that swine was either — but it is technically correct and more importantly won't give the pork industry a negative perception.

Pork producers are not receiving enough for their hogs now, compared to the cost of production, so why kick them when they're down. There is no evidence that U.S. swine have been infected with this virus. USDA is reminding its trading partners that U.S. pork and pork products are safe and there is no basis for restricting imports of commercially produced U.S. pork and pork products. Also this is not an animal health or food safety issue. This discovery of the H1N1 virus is in humans.

Here are recently posted questions and answers from USDA regarding the H1N1 virus. More information is available at the Web site www.cdc.gov

QUESTION: Do any swine have the virus that has infected humans?ANSWER: There is no evidence at this time that swine in the U.S. are infected with this virus strain and therefore, this is not an animal health or food safety issue.

QUESTION: What is this flu that people are talking about in the news?ANSWER: It is a new strain of flu that consists of a mixture of genetic material from swine, avian and human influenza viruses.

QUESTION: Is USDA testing and monitoring to make sure swine are not infected with the virus and if so, how?ANSWER: A network of Federal veterinarians, state animal health officials and private practitioners are regularly involved with monitoring U.S. swine for signs of significant disease.

QUESTION: How will the public be notified if the government finds swine flu in a U.S. herd?ANSWER: Should there be a detection of influenza in the U.S. swine herd, those results would be shared with the public in a timely fashion.

QUESTION: Can you get this flu from being around or touching swine?ANSWER: The CDC says the spread of swine flu can occur either through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses or through contact with a person with swine flu who is coughing or sneezing.

QUESTION: How do we ensure that we take the appropriate measures to protect our swine?We encourage commercial pork producers to intensify the biosecurity practices they have in place. They should not loan equipment or vehicles or borrow them from other farms. Swine from outside sources, such as transitional herds should not be brought back to the farm. Transitional herd is the term we use to define those herds that have some likelihood of contact with feral swine.They should permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm. Swine workers should disinfect their shoes, clothes and hands. They should thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles entering and leaving the farm and avoid visiting other livestock farms without proper cleaning and disinfection.Also, they should report sick animals immediately. The industry understands the importance of preventing spread of the virus as quickly as possible.Agriculture humorA young woman was preparing a ham dinner. After she cut off the end of the ham, she placed it in a pan for baking. Her friend asked her, "Why did you cut off the end of the ham"? And she replied, "I really don't know, but my mother always did, so I thought you were supposed to." Later when talking to her mother she asked her why she cut off the end of the ham before baking it, and her mother replied, "I really don't know, but that's the way my mom always did it." A few weeks later, while visiting her grandmother, the young woman asked, "Grandma, why is it that you cut off the end of a ham before you bake it?" Her grandmother replied, "Well, dear, otherwise it would never fit into my baking pan."Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.