Swine Flu Outbreak: Experts Warn Pigs Could Spread Disease

As the number of cases of swine flu continues to grow, experts are issuing a warning that pigs could be spreading the disease.

So far, there have been confirmed cases of swine flu in 43 countries, with over 5,000 people having contracted the virus. In the United States alone, there have been over 1,000 cases reported. The majority of those cases have been in people who have had contact with pigs.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, says that it's possible that the pigs are spreading the disease. "Pigs can excrete large amounts of virus and aerosolize it and therefore spread it to other animals and people. They are also good at hosting the virus and allow it to replicate and become more virulent."

The World Health Organization is currently working on a plan to deal with an outbreak of swine flu in pigs. The plan includes measures such as surveillance, risk assessment, and control measures such as vaccinations and quarantines.

So far, there has been no evidence that pork or pork products are unsafe to eat. However, consumers are advised to cook pork properly to kill any possible viruses.

Super-Sized Pigs Found in Yorkshire

In a surprising discovery, farmers in the Yorkshire region of England have reported finding extremely large pigs on their property. The animals, which weigh in at well over 500 pounds, are nearly twice the size of a typical pig and have left many locals scratching their heads as to where they could have come from.

While it's not clear at this point how the oversized swine ended up on rural farmland, some experts believe that they may be the result of selective breeding by farmers who were looking to create an even bigger pig for slaughter. After all, demand for pork has been on the rise in recent years and producers are always looking for ways to increase their yields.

Others, however, speculate that the pigs may have escaped from a local zoo or animal sanctuary. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure - these supersized pigs are causing a stir among the locals and are sure to turn some heads when they're out grazing in the open countryside.

Are Pigs the Next Endangered Species?

The world's pork production is at a critical crossroads.

According to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, global pork production totaled a staggering 115.1 million tonnes in 2016. That's up from 112.4 million tonnes in 2015 and is forecast to reach 117.3 million tonnes in 2017.

But with the world population expected to top 9 billion by 2050, can the pork industry sustain this level of growth? Some observers are beginning to ask whether pigs could be next on the list of endangered species.

Pork is a staple food in many parts of the world and its popularity is growing fast in developing countries such as China and India. Rapid urbanization, rising incomes and changing diets are all fueling demand for pork products.

At the same time, however, the pork industry faces mounting challenges. Feed costs are rising as a result of increased demand for soybeans to feed cattle and chickens; climate change is hampering crop production; and diseases such as African swine fever are spreading rapidly among pigs.

In light of these challenges, some observers are questioning whether the pork industry can continue to expand at its current pace. "It is becoming increasingly difficult to see how future increases in pork output can be achieved without causing major environmental or social damage," wrote Tim Searchinger, a senior research scholar at Princeton University, earlier this year.

So what does the future hold for pigs? It's too early to tell for sure, but it seems likely that pork production will plateau or even decline over the next few decades as population growth and other challenges mount. Pigs may not be next on the list of endangered species – but their days certainly appear to be numbered.

Farmers Furious as Pig Prices Plummet

Thousands of farmers around the country have taken to social media in protest as pork prices plummet. The average price of a hog has fallen by more than 20% since September, and many farmers are struggling to break even.

Pork producers have responded to the outcry by pointing to falling demand for pork in China and rising production costs. They argue that the lower prices are necessary to ensure sustainable profits in the long run.

But many farmers feel like they're being taken advantage of. "The big meatpackers are just trying to drive us out of business," said one angry producer on Twitter.

Others are calling for government intervention, saying that the industry is rigged against small producers. "Farmers need a safety net," said one concerned citizen. "If this keeps up, a lot of them will go out of business."

The USDA says it's aware of the problem and is working on a solution. In the meantime, farmers will just have to hope that prices rebound soon.

The Truth About Pigs – They're Smart, Friendly, and Fun!

Pigs are one of the most unfairly maligned animals on the planet. They are seen as dirty, stupid, and smelly. But the truth is that pigs are actually smart, friendly, and fun animals!

One of the reasons pigs get such a bad rap is that they are very good at hiding their intelligence. A pig can learn up to 200 commands, and they are able to remember them for up to a year.

Pigs also have an excellent sense of smell. They can smell food from up to two miles away! This keen sense of smell helps them find food in the wild, and also helps them root through garbage looking for food scraps.

But pigs are not just smart, they are also very friendly animals. Pigs love to play and roughhouse with each other. They will also play games with humans, such as tug-of-war or chasing after a ball.

Finally, pigs are also very fun animals to have around. They love to be petted and rubbed behind the ears. They will also follow you around the house and give you plenty of kisses!