THE Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Saturday that goats infected by Query fever, also known as “Q-fever”, have already been depopulated and condemned in the Philippines.
In a news forum in Quezon City, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said the government responded right away after confirming that imported goats from the United States tested positive for Q-fever last June 19 and 20.
“So, noong na-confirm ng series of laboratory tests itong Q fever doon sa 94 na kambing na naiangkat at nakarating ng Marinduque, iniutos po agad ng ating Kalihim iyong kagyat na depopulation or condemnation noong mga nasabing kambing magmula pa doon sa quarantine areas sa Pampanga,” De Mesa said.
“So, na-depop na ito at nagkaroon din ng depopulation doon sa quarantine area doon sa surveillance within 500 meter radius ng infected site at natapos po iyon kahapon o noong isang araw iyong depopulation noong mga kambing at baka na nandoon sa surveillance area at tuloy-tuloy din naman iyong contact tracing na ginagawa,” he added.
De Mesa explained that Q-fever is a mild zoonotic disease of ruminants.
It is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii that infect goats, sheep, and cows, which is transmissible to humans when in contact with infected animals’ excrement, body and birthing fluids, according to reports.
De Mesa, meanwhile, said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) had also conducted an “immediate coordination” with the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure no person shall be affected by the disease, particularly farm workers.
He called on the public to still take precautions.
“Ang sintomas nito sa mga tao ay parang nilalagnat na masakit ang katawan, puwedeng magkaroon ng ubo at ito naman ay nagagamot through the use of antibiotic dahil nga bacterial. At iyong mode of transmission doon sa mga tick na pulgas of course iyong body fluids ng animals na in contact doon sa mga tao ay puwedeng mag…iyon ‘yung mode of transmission nitong Q fever na ito,” he noted.
De Mesa also said part of the measures taken by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel is to temporarily ban importation of goats from the US as the government traces down and confirms where the disease exactly came from.
