Several People Report Illness After Michigan Fair Swine Flu Outbreak, 1 Hog Dies

3 articles · Updated · Detroit Free Press · Aug 10

Several people who were exposed to pigs at the Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell have reported illness and agreed to swine flu testing, but no human cases were confirmed as of Aug. 12.
At least one hog died suddenly at the Aug. 3-8 fair, and tests on other symptomatic pigs — some with 105-degree fevers — came back positive for swine flu.
Fair leaders closed the pig barn to the public as soon as symptoms appeared and moved sick animals off site, while USDA confirmatory testing and strain identification remained pending.
Kent County and Michigan health officials issued a public notice urging exposed attendees to watch for symptoms for 10 days and contact the health department if they become sick.
The investigation follows an earlier warning after swine flu was detected in fair pigs; similar fair-linked human infections were recorded in Michigan in 2023.