Kent County Youth Fair exhibitor tests positive for swine flu, health officials say
byStephanie Forth | News Channel 3
Fri, August 14, 2026 at 9:12 PM
A person who was a swine exhibitor at the Kent County Youth Fair at the beginning of August has since tested positive for swine flu, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. (Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control/WWMT)
LOWELL, Mich. —A person who was a swine exhibitor at the Kent County Youth Fair at the beginning of August has since tested positive for swine flu, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
The person tested “presumptive” positive at the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories and their results were confirmed Friday by the CDC, officials said
MDHHS said they have been working with the Kent County Health Department to contact anyone who was a swine exhibitor as well as their families who visited the barns at the youth fair from Aug. 3 to Aug. 8 to identify illnesses in those who may have been exposed to infected pigs
- Previous coverage: Swine flu detected in pig that suddenly died at the Kent County Youth Fair
County health officials have already notified area health providers to be on the look out for patients with respiratory symptoms who were also exposed to pigs or went to the fair
“While the risk to the general public remains low, we want visitors who attended the Kent County Youth Fair to be alert to symptoms and take appropriate precautions,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, said. “Anyone who develops flu like symptoms after possible exposure should contact their health care provider and let them know about their recent contact with pigs at the fair. Individuals who are sick should stay home until they have fully recovered.”
People typically catch swine flu from droplets expelled after an infected pig coughs or sneezes
Health officials shared the following precautions the community can take to avoid potential exposure at farms, fairs, and exhibits:
- Do not eat or drink in livestock barns or show rings.
- Do not take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers or similar items into pig areas.
- Anyone who is at high risk of serious flu complications should avoid contact with pigs and swine barns when attending a fair.
- Get an annual influenza vaccination
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu virus and may include, according to the department:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Body aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Even in healthy people, swine flu can sometimes cause severe disease. This includes pneumonia and in some cases, death
Those who have a higher risk of developing complications associated with swine flu include, according to MDHHS:
- Children younger than five years of age
- People 65 years of age and older
- Pregnant people
- People with certain long-term health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions
“The time period it takes from exposure to illness for variant influenza is similar to that of seasonal influenza, which can be up to 10 days, but is most commonly three days,” officials said. “Currently, there is no human vaccine for swine flu and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against swine flu; however, prescription antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, are effective in treating swine flu in humans. Early treatment works best and may be especially important for people with a high-risk condition.”
More information about swine flu can be found on the CDC’s website
