LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Children and teens across southern New Mexico are gearing up for 4-H and FFA events, and for some that means buying a piglet to raise and show at fairs this fall.

Panic is not expected at this weekend swine sale in Deming, or next weekend’s sale in Dona Ana, but growers and buyers said that's because they've been around pigs all their lives and are getting the facts about the illness.

“If you watch the markets, it has affected those negatively. I guess there is panic among some people. I think a lot of it is not being informed,” said John Campbell, Southern New Mexico State Fair livestock secretary.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said pigs don't normally infect humans, but sporadic infections have occurred from pigs to people and from people to pigs. But regular hand washing will help prevent it from going from person to person.

“You can go to a swine sale and they make you wear this plastic over your shoes because they want to keep it clean,” said Joslyn Beard, FFA student.

She and members of FFA, Extension, or 4-H groups said they are not listening to the rumors. Instead they are getting the facts.

“Being informed and knowing what the swine flu is all about and what you can do to protect yourself,” Campbell said.

The supervisor of a swine sale in Deming this weekend said sellers expect to move 60 to 80 head.

“It doesn't bother the people that are involved in the industry; we have been around pigs all of our lives. We've been working with them. It's an airborne virus now; it's not necessarily getting flu from swine. They're getting a bad rap,” said Wade Worrell, swine sale supervisor.

Beard said it would be sad if parents backed out of buying, based on fear.

“I truly do think it hurts the kid because it's their project. They want to go do this. It's the parents stopping them, but the parents have a good reason to -- they're scared of the swine flu,” Beard said.

Beard said parents should do more research if they are concerned.

Two other swine sales in the state did well, but that came before all the widespread panic.