Swine flu: Egypt Orders Immediate Mass Slaughter of Pigs

April 29, 2009

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Egypt has ordered the slaughter of all pigs as a precaution against swine flu.

Health authorities Wednesday said culling would begin immediately.

A U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization official was quick to criticize the order. Chief Veterinary officer Joseph Domenech pointed out the disease is spread by human-to-human contact.

No cases of swine flu, a mixture of swine, avian and human strains, have been reported in Egypt -- either in humans or animals.

But pigs are raised in urban areas along the densely populated Nile River, raising fears of a potentially rapid spread were it to appear among herds.

Egypt is also already on alert because of the avian influenza. With 26 human deaths from the disease, it is the hardest hit nation outside Asia.

Pigs are raised and consumed by Egypt's minority Coptic Christian communities, and shunned by the country's Muslim majority. Christian farmers Wednesday also denounced the government's decision, saying it would ruin them financially.

Health officials say that properly handled and cooked pork poses no threat of the disease.

VOA News