Why is it called swine flu?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the flu virus spreading around the world should not be called "swine flu" as it also contains avian and human components and no pig was found ill with the disease so far.

A more logical name for it would be "North-American Influenza," a name based on its geographic origin - not as catchy though. "The virus has not been isolated in animals to date. Therefore it is not justified to name this disease swine influenza."

Richard Besser, acting director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, acknowledged that the agency's use of the swine flu label was fueling the misconception that people could catch the new respiratory disease from food. "That's not helpful to pork producers. That's not helpful to people who eat pork," Dr. Besser said. "And so we're discussing: is there a better way to describe this that would not lead to inappropriate action on peoples' part?"

According to Peter Cowen, associate professor of epidemiology and public health at North Carolina State University, the H1N1 virus is being called "swine flu" because of the 1918 outbreak in Spain. Cowen said the H1N1 (swine) flu virus probably had a wild bird origin but nonetheless became known as the swine influenza virus because it caused significant mortality in both swine and human populations.

As for the widespread public use of the term swine flu, Cowen said it is unfortunate because the name implies a simple, zoonotic transmission between swine and people, when in reality, its origin and epidemiology is likely to be much more complex.

"The virus has not been isolated in animals
to date. Therefore, it is not justified to name
this disease swine influenza."
World Organization for Animal Health

Sources: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, USDA, World Health Organization, National Pork Board