Smithfield Foods is the largest producer and processor of pork in the world. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, the company operates in more than 20 U.S. states and nine countries.Google Finance: Smithfield Foods

On May 11, 2009, Steven Trunnell, the husband of the first American to die from swine flu (H1N1), filed a wrongful-death petition in the District Court of Cameron County, Texas against Smithfield Foods. The petition alleges that Smithfield Foods, may be involved with the swine flu outbreak which resulted in the death of Judy Trunnell on May 5, 2009. It there is enough evidence to support the claim, Trunnell will amend his pleading to hold Smithfield Foods liable for as much $1 billion in damages.Science: Texan Alleges Mexican Pig Farm May Be Liable (May 14, 2009)

Judy Trunnell was a 33-year-old Texas pregnant school teacher when she contracted the H1N1 Virus (swine flu). Trunnell was eight months pregnant when she was admitted into a Texas local hospital on April 19, 2009. During her hospitalization, Trunnell slipped into a coma and her healthy daughter was had to be delivered via Cesarean section. Trunnell died on May 5, 2009.Science: Texan Alleges Mexican Pig Farm May Be Liable (May 14, 2009)

On May 11, 2009, Steven Trunnell filed a petition in Texas which states, "it is likely that the creation and spread of this lethal strain of swine flu may have been caused, in part, by historically unsanitary conditions which Smithfield Foods knowingly caused to occur in Mexico in connection with the operation of the largest pig farm business in the world." The petition continues with allegations, "it is reasonable to expect that this area around La Gloria is ground zero for the H1N1-2009 swine influenza virus."Science: Texan Alleges Mexican Pig Farm May Be Liable (May 14, 2009)

In the first lawsuit of its kind, Trunnell is attempting to hold the corporation "responsible for the inadvertent creation of an infectious disease."Time: H1N1 Virus: The First Legal Action (May 14, 2009)

• Originates via direct contact with pigs
• New strain: H1N1, can be passed human to humanThe New York Times: U.S. Declares Public Health Emergency Over Swine Flu (April 26, 2009)
• In response, U.S. is stockpiling Tamiflu
• 250 reported cases in the 1976 outbreak
• The 2009 outbreak speculated to have originated in Mexico

On April 26, 2009, Smithfield Foods released a statement that says no presence of swine influenza has appeared at the company's plant in Mexico. The company is cooperating with Mexican health officials to track down the source of the outbreak and will submit some samples of swine to the University of Mexico for testing.Official Website: Swine Flu Press Release (April 26, 2009)

In an April 28, 2009 article in the Huffington Post, writer Leslie Hatfield draws a connection between conditions at the La Gloria, Mexico, factory farms to the spread of swine flu. La Gloria is run by Granjas Carroll, a subsidiary of Smithfield. Sixty percent of La Gloria's human population has become ill with swine flu.Huffington Post: What Airports and Factory Farms Have in Common... (April 28, 2009) Rolling Stone: Boss Hog (December 13, 2006)