Investigations now reveal that the swine flu epidemic that began in Mexico and spread worldwide is probably connected to pollution caused by unsanitary pig breeding farms in the region.
Various news outlets are covering the story, and here are some excerpts from articles where you can find more information about this breaking news:
- Tom Phillpot at Grist asks: “Is Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork packer and hog producer, linked to the outbreak? Smithfield operates massive hog-raising operations Perote, Mexico, in the state of Vera Cruz, where the outbreak originated. The operations, grouped under a Smithfield subsidiary called Granjas Carrol, raise 950,000 hogs per year, according to the company Web site.”
- The Mexican and U.S. hog industries have denied that they are responsible, and David Kirby at The Huffington Post summarizes their claims, but ends his column with this intriguing premise: “There is no proof that this illness emerged on a Mexican hog factory farm, or in Mexico, or even in hogs. But we do know that Mexican pigs with swine flu are being destroyed. And we know that Mexican lawmakers think that CAFOs are making people sick. And now we know that a five-year-old girl in La Gloria has swine flu. I wonder if the CDC is going to go check on her, and see how she contracted that virus.”
- At The Daily Green, Dan Shapley has put the outbreak into the larger context of how large-scale outbreaks are generally linked to animals: “Organizations like Wildlife Trust have for years been warning about this type of outbreak — an estimated 75% of human illness originates with wildlife (think Lyme disease, West Nile virus and every other strain of flu). The term used to describe that study is conservation medicine, since preventing and treating outbreaks typically means tackling environmental problems as well. For instance, in 1999, the deadly Nipah virus spread from bats to humans to pigs because of deforestation of jungles of Borneo and Malaysia.”
- Karl Burkart at the Mother Nature Network makes the now requisite climate change connection: “Though the mismanagement of the hog operation seems primarily to blame for the outbreak, it is also important to note that last year the Wildlife Conservation Society issued a statement that linked climate change to the development of new and potentially lethal influenza strains, particularly new strains of the avian flu. Changing weather patterns are resulting in overpopulation of insects which then carry the disease from bird to bird.”
If you are aware of additional articles that provide insight into the environmental aspects of this story, please add them with links to the comment section below.
Photo Credit: David Light Orchard on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
well now we know the cause, doesnt change the fact thts its here though.
I have heard rumours via facebook that pork shipped through Texas from Mexico into the US is contaminated with the flu. I live in Beaumont, which has a large Port. Should I be worried or is the media blowing this out of proportion?
This article from Rolling Stone is from December, 2006, but it talks about Smithfield Foods. We found it online when looking for info on La Gloria, Veracruz; friends of ours are from that village and three weeks ago they were terrified to talk to their families back home and hear there was a flu-type outbreak there, and that specialists and sanitary experts had gone in and had no idea what it was. These friends tell us that the pork farms are polluting all the water in the area, and there have been many complaints in the village against them (all gone unheard)
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12840743/porks_dirty_secret_the_nations_top_hog_producer_is_also_one_of_americas_worst_pollutersobre
And, in Spanish:
http://www.lajornadasanluis.com.mx/2009/04/27/pol15.php
sorry, correction on the link:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12840743/porks_dirty_secret_the_nations_top_hog_producer_is_also_one_of_americas_worst_polluters
Evidence that outbreak of Swine Flu may have negative effects on green initiatives:
http://www.newsy.com/videos/the_world_on_swine_flu_alert/
This is completely not true. Both WHO and CDC have both stated today that there is no known link at all as of yet. This is really not honest and lowers the high standard I once thought you had. there really is no need to lower yourself and cause dishonest information to spread in this manner. You would show better service to your reader to stick to the full truth during this very potentially dangerous threat.
However,
we really need more detail of scientific evidence on how climate change affects virus life cycle
This is a terrible article. It is a prime example of fearmongering and manipulative journalism.
The disease that is the subject of this article contains human and avian genetic components in addition to those from swine. So it is more likely that the origin is with small subsistance farmers than with large farms where poultry and pigs are kept separate and human exposure is very limited.
Even the World Health Organization says the virus is mis-named and should be called North American Flu. http://www.reuters.com/article/usDollarRpt/idUSLR47878620090427
But the editors and authors of “Ecowordly” chooses to recirculate poorly researched bad information from authors with self-serving agendas. What can be the purpose of this article, other than to spread baseless fear in order to motivate the general public to call for unwarranted political, social and economic changes.
Smithfield also has pig murder operations
in Romania, Poland, NC and VA.
In the 2 US states, its trillions of gallons of waste have caused a red tide
of pfiesteria in the Atlanta.
Pig flesh is the most universally condemned cadaver flesh, forbidden to
Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews,
Franciscan monks, Trappist monks, Adventists, Adventists, vegans, vegetarians, fruitarians.
Pig flesh contains trichinella worms
which survive 300 degree fahrenheit cooking.
Pigs are the most intelligent of the
animals most human beings eat. They
fight hard to avoid being murdered.
Thus far, most of the coverage on this strain of inluenza aired on Public and Commercial Radio and Television is dedicated to informing the public on the location of outbreaks and protective measures suggested for care and containment. This is, of course, a “hot news topic” right now. Mr. Novey does invite readers to share information, which provides a public arena for discussion on and about news developments. I would agree, however, that in the attempt to invite audience participation, care should be taken to maintain high journalistic standards in terms of information references offered.
Here’s an update from Grist: http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-28-more-smithfield-swine
This news article is not only biased, but wrong fact wise. I have no problem with people who do not like modern pig production (factory farming), but please, have the decency to not mix your believes with facts. Thank you.
My only question is why did so many die from the swine flu in Mexico? If we don’t get answers on this we really have a problem. Is there any proof that Tama Flu works?
Much more information available today. Helpful info sources are World Health Organization (WHO.org), Center for Disease Control (CDC.gov), StarTribune.com, Minneapolis, Minnesota article posted Apr.28 “A word about masks” and ask.com/University of Minnesota will give access to articles referring to Michael T. Osterholm, Uiversity of Minnesota Infectious disease specialist who is an advisor to the White House. So far I have learned that this virus is most likely a multiple strain of swine/avian/human influenza; that only one type of mask is effective and what alternatives there are to wearing one on a day to day basis; that eating pork will not give you the flu; that, although reasonable precautions should be taken, travel panic mania will be more harmful than helpful; and that we are very fortunate to have developed our current level of global communication, which was not available at this level during the 1918 influenza epidemic. This latter should be uilized to help us all deal more wisely, by becoming better informed in order to help us deal intelligently with our inevitable confrontations with communicable diseases.
Beware of “Pork Industry” postings (using “just folk” names) attempting to justify Controlled Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) where pigs are packed into small areas where disease spreads quickly. Watch “Nightline” (show broadcast on April 29, 2009) online to hear about the Swine Flu ground level zero—They DID say a Mexican town with CAFOs was identified as the source of the first case. They even chatted with the first case, a little boy. (The medical doctor interviewed on the show said, “The Mexican government doesn’t want us to make any comment about the large pig operations.”)
The part that should scare everyone is the high levels of antibotics fed to the CAFO animals to keep them healthy in such nasty, over-crowded conditions. Since the Swine Flu was pinpointed at one of these CAFOs, that means the virus has circumvented any antibotics that were used at the feeding operation. That also means real trouble, since the virus will have mutated. REAL TROUBLE!
I think it was the Smithfield Farm I have been finding articles all over the net..on this swine flu saying the same thing as you. The regular talking heads on national t.v. are silenced I think, because of what it woul;d mean for them to tell the general public who listen to them..and aren’t seeking the real truth. Also it’s good for for them..to dump the Tama flu medicine..so the drug companys can make money. There is more of an out break from other flu’s in the winter months they don’t get this much hype..you would think we were all going to die. I don’t buy their hype.
I’m wondering if the former Ag Teaher would be more comfortable and feel safer living next to: 1) a small, sustainable, subsistence farmer. or 2) a hog CAFO run by Smithfield. When you have such a high concentration of animals in one enclosed space and such a high level of pollution produced – more of both than in the history of the world – it is fair to investigate these operations in regards to a new disease outbreak, especially if that outbreak happens in the CAFO’s backyard.
cdc investigation of the 1918 flu epidemic pointed to the u s army’s horse and mule waste disposal out west before jeeps and trucks were used. what a co-incidence !
mmmm like a bacon cone with eggs, gravy and country biscuit. . drool. .
So I take it you missed the word in that preceded the word Mexico in my comment? ?
That already happened. Mad Cow Disease. Foot and Mouth Disease.
That already happened. Mad Cow Disease. Foot and Mouth Disease.
Why must a pandemic be a bad thing? The world is getting a little crowded. Just saying….
Interesting stuff. Did you hear that there’s a new strain which is resistant to the anti-flu drugs? Tamiflu etc? Found a really good website for tracking it’s progress, seems to be updated every hour or so… http://www.swinefludeaths.co.uk.
People forget that the swine flu came from europe. Pigs are indiginist to europa.
This is a fantastic post! (I am coming back to reblog this one in a bit…
)
Hi Levi Novey,
I am part of Compassion in World Farming which is the only charity working specifically to end factory farming. We are a small but dedicated team who work tirelessly to promote better treatment of farm animals. We are highly impressed by your fantastic blog, swine flu in mexico linked to poorly managed factory farms; we’d like to congratulate you on highlighting said key issues.
It would be fantastic to an eloquent advocate such as yourself to spread the word about farm animal welfare. Digital online technology has made it possible to reach an audience of millions using the peaceful weapon of the word. It is amazing to note the impact that just one person can have! We would be very grateful if you would like to consider blogging about us and are more than happy to provide you with any additional information or resources which would help you with this.
It’s always great to read comments from fellow supporters of farm animal welfare. I wish you all the very best with the Link of swine flu, what a fantastic resource. If we can be of any future assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch and we’ll help you in any way we can.
Kind regards,
Tor Bailey
Supporter Services Officer
Compassion in world Farming