The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on Sunday gave assurance that measures are being done to contain the spread of Q fever detected among imported goats in a government breeding station in Marinduque.
Dr. Christian Daquigan, BAI national veterinary quarantine services division officer-in-charge, said Q fever is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii which may be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their excretions and body fluids.
The US Center for Disease Control said while most people recover from Q fever without antibiotics, those displaying symptoms require treatment, typically with doxycycline.
“BAI is conducting extensive surveillance in the affected areas to identify and manage any new cases promptly. Additionally, BAI is collaborating with the local government unit for further action within Marinduque,” said Daquigan, in a statement.
“To ensure accurate and timely testing of suspected cases, BAI has directed the procurement of additional PCR reagents for emerging and re-emerging animal diseases,” Daquigan added.
BAI said it depopulated more than five dozen goats imported from the US last Friday following the detection of Q fever among some of the animals at the facility. Other animals within the Marinduque breeding stations were also culled.
The agency said PCR tests on blood samples from suspected cases in the province were confirmed in tests released late Wednesday last week.
Apart from culling and condemnation of infected and exposed goats, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the immediate tracing of potentially infected animals and a temporary ban on the importation of goats from the U.S.
He also ordered the preventive suspension of certain BAI personnel pending an investigation, the review of BAI quarantine and disease control protocols and the potential blacklisting of the importer of the infected animals.
“This is a very serious matter. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the health of Filipinos is not compromised. It is imperative that we act immediately and decisively to eradicate this disease that poses serious threats to both animals and humans,” Tiu Laurel said.
