Indiana State Fair releases hogs a day early

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Most of the hogs at the Indiana State Fair have sent home early as a precaution after six pigs in the 4-H show developed temperatures above 105 degrees, an indicator of potential illness.

State fair officials said releasing the pigs from the swine barn on Monday, a day ahead of schedule, came on the recommendation from the Board of Animal Health.

It comes in the wake of the Indiana Department of Health saying Friday it has confirmed 11 cases of variant influenza A in people linked to hogs, including four earlier cases that were linked to the LaPorte County Fair in northwestern Indiana.

The flu strain can be directly transmitted between swine and people.

The cause of the fevers in the pigs is not known.