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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, since July 2011, 29 people in the U.S. have been confirmed to have been in contact the new strain of swine flu. 

This week alone, 12 cases were reported and Ten those were linked to the Butler County Fair in southwest Ohio, which ended last weekend.

Late summer is typically fair season across the United States, and fairs are a setting that can provide many opportunities for exposures to occur between pigs and people. According to the report, of the 29 cases, 19 cases were associated with fairs where swine were present. Most human illness with swine flu infection has resulted in signs and symptoms of influenza (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches). 

According to USDA, the virus may be circulating widely in U.S. pork at this time. However, that influenza viruses have not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork  or other products derived from pigs.

The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians has developed the "Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings, 2011" to provide some preventive actions that are applicable to people raising swine, showing swine at fairs, or attending fairs.

The NASPHV urges people to wash hands frequently with soap and running water before and after exposure to animals and never eat, drink or put things in the mouth while in animal areas and don't take food or drink into animal areas. 

Young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems should be extra careful around animals.  

Animals, including swine, should be watched for signs of illness and close contact should be avoided with animals that look or act ill, when possible.

People should avoid contact with pigs if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. If you must come in contact with pigs while you are sick, or if you must come in contact with pigs known or suspected to be infected, or their environment, you should use appropriate protective measures (for example, wear protective clothing, gloves, masks that cover your mouth and nose, and other personal protective equipment) and practice good respiratory and hand hygiene.

Also: 

Children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions) are at high risk from serious complications if they get influenza. These people should consider avoiding exposure to pigs and swine barns this summer, especially if sick pigs have been identified. 

Studies conducted by CDC have indicated that children younger than 10 years old would have little to no immunity against H3N2v virus, whereas adults may have some cross-protective immunity. Most cases of H3N2v have occurred in children at this time.

There are two FDA-approved drugs that are expected to be effective in treating illness associated with H3N2v virus infection. The antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) - which are used to treat infection with human seasonal influenza viruses -are also expected to be effective in treating H3N2v virus. Antiviral treatment is most effective when started as soon as possible after illness onset. (For more information about influenza antiviral medications, please see What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs.)

Signs and symptoms of H3N2v virus infection cannot be differentiated from those caused by other respiratory infections, including seasonal influenza virus infection.

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests may not detect H3N2v virus in human respiratory specimens (false negative results). If H3N2v virus infection is suspected because of recent exposure to pigs or to an ill person who had contact with pigs, testing of respiratory specimens should be done at a state health department.

Influenza viruses have not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. For more information about the proper handling and preparation of pork, visit the USDA website fact sheet "Fresh Pork from Farm to Table"