88 animals killed in Marinduque to curb spread of Q fever

Inquirer files

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 88 animals have been slaughtered in Marinduque province as the government seeks to prevent the spread of Query fever, also known as Q fever, a disease that can affect both humans and animals.

Local authorities killed and disposed of 81 goats and seven cattle (six adults and one calf) from a farm in Barangay Napo, Santa Cruz town, according to the country’s report to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

The report also said that three other goats died because of the disease.

READ: DOH says ongoing study to determine risk of Q fever to humans

The Philippines’ report to WOAH noted that clinical signs were observed in some of the goats as early as February. But the presence of Q fever in the country was confirmed only on June 19 based on the results of tests conducted by the Philippine Carabao Center.

Control measures, the report said, have already been applied, including disinfection, movement control, quarantine, screening, official disposal of carcasses, by-products, and waste, and stamping out, while surveillance within and outside the restricted zone would be carried out.

It added that the affected animals consisted of 67 imported Anglo-Nubian goats (57 does or female goats and 10 bucks or male goats) and seven kids.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) earlier confirmed the first case of Q fever in the country but said the outbreak was “controlled.”

“Infected goats have been depopulated and tracing of potentially infected animals is ongoing to prevent the spread of Q fever,” Christian Daquigan, officer in charge of the BAI National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, said in a press conference last month.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all the necessary actions to control the cases,” he added.

Importation ban

The Department of Agriculture has also temporarily banned the importation of live goats from the United States after the latter confirmed Q fever cases in its territory last month, making it the first officially confirmed case in imported goats.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Q fever is caused by a bacteria called Coxiella burnetii that affects both humans and animals. A person may catch the disease from an infected animal through contaminated milk or by handling the fetus, placenta, or fluids from an infected animal that had given birth.