Rick Jordahl, Associate Editor, Pork Network   |   Updated: December 30, 2011

Swine-origin influenza viruses identified in humans will now be referred to as “variant” viruses and denoted with a “v,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The decision was made after discussions among the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization, CDC, and other U.S. federal agencies.

An official from the National Pork Board expressed optimism for the new naming system. “we welcome the scientific view on naming these viruses,” said Paul Sundberg, DVM, vice president, science and technology, NPB. “This new nomenclature will make communications more accurate and help prevent unintended consequences of naming a virus based on just one part of its genetic makeup.” Sundberg said the new naming system will help avoid implicating any of the genetic contributors of recombinant influenza viruses.

This change in nomenclature follows an announcement by WHO of a decision to standardize nomenclature for the pandemic influenza a (H1N1) 2009 virus (which has had diverse names) as influenza a (H1N1)pdm09. Influenza viruses identified in swine populations will continue to be referred to as “swine influenza” viruses.

Human infections with the influenza viruses currently circulating among swine are rare, according to CDC. since 2005, only 35 cases have been reported in the United States, but the frequency with which they have been detected increased in 2011.

Since August 2011, CDC has identified 12 human infections in five states with swine-origin influenza a (H3N2) viruses. per the new naming convention, these H3N2 viruses will now be referred to as “influenza a (H3N2) variant viruses with genes from avian, swine and human viruses,” and will be abbreviated as “A(H3N2)v” for scientific use and “H3N2v” for general public use. these 12 A(H3N2)v viruses also have the M gene from the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus. Of the 12 cases, two were from Indiana, three from Iowa, two from Maine, three from Pennsylvania, and two from West Virginia.

To minimize the risk for interspecies influenza transmission, CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) encourage swine workers to be vaccinated against human seasonal influenza, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and practice good hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, when in contact with swine, especially swine that show signs of illness.

The National Pork Board also recommends producers work with their veterinarian to develop appropriate prevention and control measures for influenza in swine, which can include vaccinating swine against swine influenza. Similar to humans, swine infected with influenza viruses do not always exhibit signs of infection. Persons with swine exposure in the week before onset of an illness with symptoms of influenza requiring medical care should notify their health-care provider of their swine exposures.

Persons who develop symptoms of influenza after close contact with swine are recommended to stay home until well to minimize contact with persons and swine as much as possible.

In July 2009, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the swine industry implemented a SIV surveillance program to characterize the distribution of SIV in U.S. swine herds. to date, approximately 150 SIV isolates have undergone sequencing of three genes (hemagglutinin, matrix, and neuraminidase gene segments).

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Initiative announced on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” today

DEERFIELD, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–According to the American Heart Association, one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, making hypertension among the leading conditions that can be controlled or managed through early detection. Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) is now offering free blood pressure testing through Sunday at all Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics nationwide, as announced on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” today.

“It’s extremely important for people to know their numbers when it comes to blood pressure, because often times there may not be symptoms that alert you to a problem”

“It’s extremely important for people to know their numbers when it comes to blood pressure, because often times there may not be symptoms that alert you to a problem,” said Richard Ashworth, Walgreens vice president of pharmacy operations. “Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in our country today, and by offering free blood pressure testing at our more than 7,600 locations, we hope these services and interaction with our health care service providers encourage more people to make blood pressure monitoring a practice in managing their overall health.”

Blood pressure testing is available to adults ages 18 and over at all Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics today through Sunday, Jan. 16, during regular pharmacy and clinic hours. each test includes a free consultation from a Walgreens pharmacist or Take Care Clinic nurse practitioner. the free blood pressure tests are not being done for diagnostic or treatment purposes and recipients are encouraged to report results to their primary care provider.

For more information or to find the nearest participating location, visit walgreens.com/findastore.

More than 76 million people in the U.S. age 20 and older have high blood pressure, American Heart Association statistics show. of those, the association says about 22 percent are unaware of their condition, 69 percent are receiving treatment and only 45 percent have their blood pressure controlled.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. the company operates 7,655 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.