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Swine Flu Bacteria Stolen
From 'Secure' MSU Lab

9-20-2

Someone stole vials of bacteria from an MSU lab, and authorities don't know what they plan to do with it. The bacteria was being processed into a vaccine to fight Pneumonia in pigs when it was stolen late last week. Someone broke into a secure lab, took several vials of the bacteria, a note pad and a computer disk. And nobody seems to know why.
 
The bacteria was stolen from the Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building on campus sometime between last Thursday evening and Friday morning. The stolen material is called APP, it usually causes respiratory infection in young pigs. The bacteria could be deadly to swine, but veterinarian's say, not to humans.
 
Lonnie King, DVM, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine: "You can't be hurt by direct contact with the bacteria, or by eating meat from an infected animal."
 
MSU officials have already contacted local swine producers and state and federal authorities.
 
First posted 9-18-02 http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=940240
 
And this from FreeRepublic.com -
 
Bacteriological Disease Alert (Swine)
 
Dr. John Schiltz John.Schiltz@idals.state.ia.us> State Veterinarian - Iowa 9-20-2
 
I have been informed that the infectious agent Actinobacillus (Hemophilus) pleuropneumoniae (APP) may have been acquired by unauthorized individuals from a laboratory in the United States. This particular strain causes encephalitis and rapid mortality in pigs. The bacteria is not known to cause a threat to human health.
 
Producers and veterinarians should pay specific attention to swine populations and be alert to any unusual symptoms in pigs such as encephalitis, acute pneumonia, and sudden death. Any APP diagnosis that causes unusual clinical conditions, encephalitis, and sudden death must be reported to the State Veterinarian.
 
The endemic strain of APP causes outbreaks of respiratory disease in grower and finishing pigs. Clinical signs of the endemic strain of APP are dyspnea, fever, reduced appetite, and rapidly occurring death, with an elevated mortality rate. Cough and, in some cases, frothy and blood-stained nasal discharge can also be seen.
 
APP can be treated with injectable antibiotics. Vaccines are also available for specific serotypes for use as tools in prevention.
 
Most cases of infection occur by nose-to-nose contact after the introduction of infected carrier pigs. APP can be found in the tonsil, necrotic tissue, and nasal cavity of recovered carriers or sub-clinical cases. Some reports concerning indirect transmission via contaminated clothing and airborne transmission do exist, but the major mode of transmission of APP infection is by the introduction of a carrier pig.
 
Please notify my office at (515) 281-8615 if you have any consideration that you may be suspecting the new strain of APP.
 
Thank you for your help and assistance.
 
John J. Schiltz, DVM State Veterinarian, Iowa
 
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/753710/posts





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