An Iowa State University vet says confirmed cases of swine flu in Canadian hogs represent no food safety concerns and pose no threat to human health.

Dr. Jim McKean, an Iowa State University Extension swine veterinarian, says to avoid potential problems, U.S. pork producers need to maintain strong "biosecurity" measures.

"We’ve got to get our guard up. We’ve got to keep people (who) are not feeling well away from pigs and make sure that we minimize the possible spread from humans to pigs," McKean says. "And again, it’s not for a public health issue. It’s not for a food safety issues. It’s simply for one of those things that in trade, you’d like to minimize having to explain."

Tests being done on swine at research facilities in Ames indicate the the virus spreads from hog to hog. Over the weekend, there was a report a swine herd in Canada had become infected from a man who fell ill after making a trip to Mexico, but who still went to work in the hog confinement while he was ill.

McKean made his comments Monday during an appearance on Iowa Public Radio.