Scientists Predicted Flu Outbreak, Blame Food Production Practices
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May 1, 2009
The story about the worldwide viral outbreak seems to be developing almost hourly, and even the name has changed from "swine flu" to "H-1-N-1 Influenza A." But, no matter what it's called, some scientists say the cause is industrial animal farming, which serves as an incubator for viruses and bacteria.
Bob Martin, senior officer of the Pew Environment Group, says his group sounded the alarm last year in a report that found overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, made possible by routine use of human antibiotics, allowed super bugs to pass quickly between animals and to farm workers. The group even predicted such an outbreak, he says.
"It’s a little bit frustrating when you issue a report and nothing happens, and then the situation that you fear comes to fruition. We considered it not a matter of if, but when it would happen. It’s tragic."
Martin hopes this health crisis will focus attention on fixing what he calls our broken food production system.
"I think we have to change our food animal production system or this will just keep happening. The system itself is sick, and it’s a little bit like treating a disease symptom without treating the cause of the disease."
One of Pew's recommendations is for frequent testing of farm workers to stop the spread of disease. Dr. Glenn Morris, executive director of the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida says better testing and monitoring are needed.
"Clearly, this is a highly transmissible strain. The fact that it has now appeared in seven different countries suggests it can move very quickly. We’re going to need to see whether it is possible to isolate these pockets where it's been identified, or whether it is just going to move inexorably through populations."
Feedlot owners and farm advocates point to the Centers for Disease Control, which finds the current influenza strain isn’t spread by pork products. They also argue their production practices are essential to providing a reliable supply of meat products, and that they cannot be blamed if viruses and bacteria spread to humans.
In 2002, Florida voters banned confinement of pregnant pigs in gestation crates, which some say drove at least two large pig farms out of the state.
More information is available at www.ncifap.org.