RALEIGH (AP) ó After years of advising fairgoers in North Carolina to wash their hands to protect themselves from animal-borne illnesses, officials have issued an advisory to protect livestock from getting sick.
The state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on Tuesday issued a warning to 2009 fair patrons to wash their hands to prevent the spread of human-borne illnesses to pigs, specifically the H1N1 virus more commonly known as the swine flu.
Fairgoers are asked to avoid the fair if they are exhibiting any flu-like symptoms, and especially stay away from any animal exhibits. Veterinary officials also recommend that fair managers add a 6-foot barrier around any swine exhibits to further separate humans from animals.