Fevers cause Indiana State Fair to dismiss swine

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Nearly all hogs have been taken out of the swine barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, officials said Monday afternoon.

Officials called it a “proactive measure” after six pigs in the 4-H show had temperatures measured at more than 105 degrees. Multiple county fairs in Indiana have reported illness among pigs and humans.

"We consider this decision to be very prudent in light of what we have seen during the last several weeks at county fairs all over Indiana, as well as in other states," said Bret D. Marsh, DVM, Indiana State Veterinarian, in a news release. "We've had an unusually high number of reports of illness associated with swine shows this season.”

No human illnesses have been tied to the Indiana State Fair. Specific champion hogs and the world’s largest male hog will still be on display for visitors to the Indiana State Fair, but that’s far fewer than the roughly 2,000 hogs normally in the barn.

Fair officials said it would take several days for lab results to indicate what is causing fevers in the hogs.