Ekka swine flu ban

The Royal Queensland Show has banned pigs from the Brisbane Ekka grounds to protect the animals from catching human swine flu.

Pigs have been banned from the Brisbane Ekka grounds because of swine flu fears.

The Royal Queensland Show has banned pigs from the Brisbane Ekka grounds to protect the animals from catching human swine flu.

The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has advised organisers to exclude pigs from the showgrounds in Brisbane's inner north.

Biosecurity Queensland’s chief vet Ron Glanville said the ban was prompted by an outbreak of H1N1 human swine flu at a piggery in the central west of New South Wales.

“We have emphasised with the pig industry to not let people with influenza to be in contact with pigs,” Mr Glanville said.

“It is a precautionary measure.”

He said about 23 local pigs were going to be part of the children’s animal nursery but the event organisers have agreed to keep them away.

The show’s president Dr Vivien Edwards said the pigs were being removed on Tuesday.

“We have had safety checks, hygiene checks and have been getting advice from experts right across the board three weeks before the show,” Dr Edwards said.

“Now two days before the Ekka we have been made aware there could be some concerns for the pigs so they are being removed.

"The sows and piglets would have been available for the kids to look at and watch."

He said the pigs have had little human contact and would be returned to a Darling Downs piggery.

Originally published as Ekka swine flu ban