7 diagnosed with flu after contact with pigs at Md. fair where swine flu reported

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (ABC7) — Seven people are being treated for variant flu after they made contact with pigs at the Charles County Fair, according to a new report Wednesday by the Maryland State Health Department.

When the swine flu transfers to humans, it's called variant flu. The health department tells ABC7's Rich Reeve that among the seven people receiving treatment, there were no serious illness or hospitalizations.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), most common human variant viruses occur in people with exposure to infected pigs (i.e. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry).

Originally, five cases of swine flu were found in pigs at the Charles County Fair, officials reported on Wednesday.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the health departments in Charles County and St. Mary’s County say they are all investigating the five cases of what preliminary tests are calling "influenza A."

Authorities say they do not know yet if these particular cases aretransmissible to people.

The Maryland Department of Health says that it is rare for influenza viruses that usuallyinfect pigs to spread to humans but that it is possible.

This typically happens to people who have been exposed to the sick pigs, such as children who handle pigs at fairs and people who work in the swine industry, according to the health department.

"Health officials recommend that people with influenza-like illness contact their healthcare provider and inform them if they have had pig contact within the past seven days," theMaryland Department of Health said in a statement.

People can call theCharles County Health Department at 301-609-6900 ext. 6025 and the St. Mary’s County Health Department at 301-475-4330.

The Charles County fairgrounds are currently under quarantine and pig exhibits at the upcoming St. Mary’s County and Calvert County fairs have been cancelled.