Dear United Fresh Members,

United Fresh has updated information originally provided in its Monday, April 27 member advisory concerning the current outbreak of swine influenza A (H1N1), referred to as "swine flu." In response to continuing member questions surrounding the outbreak of H1N1 and its impact on produce imported from Mexico, United Fresh has been in communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as other government agencies as we work to bring you the most current information on the situation.

Please review the following information regarding the swine flu situation as of Thursday, April 30:

§         ACCORDING TO THE CDC, H1N1 OR "SWINE FLU" IS NOT TRANSMISSIBLE BY FOOD. AS SUCH, THERE IS NO DANGER OF INFECTION ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCE FROM MEXICO.

§         ACCORDING TO THE MEXICAN EMBASSY AND U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, ALL POINTS OF ENTRY FOR GROUND, SEA AND AIR SHIPMENTS OF PRODUCE FROM MEXICO INTO THE UNITED STATES REMAIN OPEN.

§         Charles E. Johnson, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has declared a public health emergency, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the worldwide pandemic alert level for H1N1 to level 5.

§         According to the WHO, Mexicohas confirmed 97 cases and seven deaths, and the U.S. has confirmed 109 cases in 11 states (AZ, CA, IN, KS, MA, MI, NV, NY, OH, SC, TX) as well as one death. There are also confirmed cases with no deaths in the following countries: Austria (1), Canada (19), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).

§         The primary manner of disease transfer appears to be contact with an infected individual, similar to "normal" flu. The primary means of preventing infection is by everyday preventive actions, such as washing hands with soap and water after touching possibly contaminated surfaces. For more preventive actions, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm

§         Several antiviral treatments appear to be effective in preventing infection or minimizing the effects of infection.

§         CDC has issued an advisory for all travelers to avoid unnecessary travel to Mexico.

§         Additional information about swine flu is available at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

§         Regular updates are being posted at http://www.pandemicflu.govand http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_001.

United Fresh will keep you informed as new information becomes available.

Contacts:

Dr. David Gombas

dgombas@unitedfresh.org

202-303-3400 ext. 411

Ray Gilmer

rgilmer@unitedfresh.org

202-303-3400 ext. 425

pdelaney@unitedfresh.org

202-303-3400 ext. 417