HEALTH
Pigs at Michigan county fair have swine flu. Now, people are sick, too
Kristen Jordan ShamusDetroit Free Press
Aug. 12, 2026, 9:00 p.m. ET
- Several pigs were sickened by swine flu at the Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell, Michigan, which ran from Aug. 3-Aug. 8.
- Now, “several people” have reported illness after exposure to the pigs at the youth fair, and have agreed to be tested for swine flu.
- As of Aug. 12, none of the people have confirmed cases of the virus, said Christina Anthony, a spokesperson for the Kent County Health Department. The investigation remains ongoing.
Several pigs were sickened at the Kent County Youth Fair byswine flu, an influenza A virus that can infect the animals — and sometimes humans and birds, too
Now, “several people” have reported illness, said Christina Anthony, a spokesperson for the Kent County Health Department, and agreed to be tested for swine flu. However, she told the Detroit Free Press that as of Aug. 12, “we don’t have any confirmed human cases of swine flu to report.”
As soon as pigs showed symptoms of illness, Kent County Youth Fair leaders closed the barn to the public, said Jennifer Holton, chief crisis communications director for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Sick pigs were transported off site to isolate them and protect the healthy pigs
At least one hog on exhibit died suddenly at the fair, which took place Aug. 3-Aug. 8 in Lowell, according to the Kent County Health Department
Although the pig that died was not tested for swine flu, other symptomatic hogs at the fairgrounds, including those with fevers of 105 degrees or higher, were tested by the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Those tests were positive for swine flu, Holton said
As of Aug. 12, confirmatory testing through the U.S. Department of Agriculture remained pending, she said, and it remained unclear specifically which strain of swine flu infected the pigs
As a precaution, MDARD along with state and Kent County health leaders issued a public notice about the outbreak among pigs and urged people who may have been exposed at the fair to monitor themselves for flulike symptoms for 10 days and to report any illness
“We are taking this situation seriously and want people who may have been exposed to know what symptoms to watch for and what to do next,” said Dr. Adam London, the county’s health officer
There were no known human cases as of Aug. 12
Although no human cases of swine flu were identified as of Aug. 12, Anthony said the public health investigation remains ongoing
“The Kent County Health Department has received an exhibitor list from the Kent County Youth Fair to assist in our investigation,” she said
Anthony did not answer questions from the Detroit Free Press about how many people are believed to have been exposed, how many have reported symptoms or how many have been tested, other than to say: “Several people reporting illness have agreed to testing.”
How does swine flu spread?
Swine flu most often spreads among pigs and leaps to humans with close contact — mainly through droplets when infected pigs cough and sneeze
People have been infected following exposure to sick animals at agricultural fairs in the past when those droplets land in a person’s nose or mouth or if they are inhaled. People cannot get swine influenza from eating properly prepared pork or handling pork products
In 2023, a Lapeer County child and a Tuscola County resident were thefirst people in the U.S. that year to be infected with swine flu after being exposed to sick pigs at the Oakland County Fair and the Tuscola County Fair
Swine flu strains also have been known to reassort, emerging as new variants that are more easily transmissible among humans. That happened in 2009, during the global H1N1 swine flu pandemic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 60.8 million people in the U.S. contracted swine flu between April 2009 and April 2010, causing 274,304 hospitalizations and 12,469 deaths
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Swine flu symptoms are similar to those caused by other seasonal flu viruses, according to the Kent County Health Department. Symptoms typically appear between one and 10 days after exposure and can include:
- Fever.
- Lethargy (tiredness).
- Lack of appetite.
- Coughing.
- Runny nose.
- Sore throat.
- Eye irritation.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
“Anyone who develops flulike symptoms after having contact with pigs at the fair should contact the Kent County Health Department and let their health care provider know about their exposure,” London said
Testing can be arranged through the county health department’s communicable disease unit by calling 616-632-7228
Who’s at high risk if they get swine flu?
People who are at high risk of developing complications if they get a swine flu infection include children younger than 5, people 65 and older, those who are pregnant and those who have health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions
Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza are effective in treating swine flu. Early treatment works best and may be especially important for people with a high-risk condition
How can I avoid getting sick?
Attending swine exhibits at agricultural fairs can increase your risk because pigs from different places come into close contact with one another and with people, the CDC says
Health officials urge people to take the following precautions in places where pigs are present:
- Don’t eat or drink, or put anything in your mouth in areas with pigs or other animals.
- Avoid contact with pigs that appear to be sick.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often before and after contact with pigs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- If you’re at high risk for developing serious illness from flu or other infections, consider avoiding pigs and swine barns.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid contact with pigs if you have flulike symptoms. Wait seven days after your illness started or until you have been without fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, whichever is longer.
- Do not take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers, or similar items into pig areas.
- If you’re at high risk and can’t avoid exposure to pigs, the CDC urges you to wear a well-fitting face mask that covers your nose and mouth.
- If you develop symptoms after exposure to pigs, seek treatment. Antiviral drugs used to help people recover from human strains of the virus are also effective against swine flu.
- Change and wash clothing and clean footwear or equipment after visiting animal areas, particularly if you have livestock at home.
- If you must come in contact with animals that may be ill at a fair, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and a well-fitting mask that covers your mouth and nose. Immediately contact the fair veterinarian.
- Stay home and away from others, including animals, if you are experiencing flulike symptoms
Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press
