Albay guv bans entry of animals from Pampanga, Marinduque amid Q fever

Albay Gov. Edcel Greco “Grex” Lagman ordered the provincial veterinary office to ban entry of animals from Pampanga and Marinduque to prevent the possible spread of the zoonotic disease Q fever. INQUIRER FILES

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay Gov. Edcel Greco “Grex” Lagman ordered the provincial veterinary office to enforce strict monitoring at all borders and to ban entry of animals from Pampanga and Marinduque to prevent the possible spread of the zoonotic disease Q fever.

In his Executive Order No. 40 series of 2024, ruminant animals, including but not limited to carabao, cattle, sheep, and goats, from the provinces of Pampanga and Marinduque are not allowed to be transported into Albay. The ban started last July 8 and will remain in effect until lifted through another order.

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Q fever is a disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which primarily affects ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. It can be transmitted to humans through inhalation of contaminated air, direct contact with infected animals, or consumption of contaminated animal products.

“We just want to protect the safety of people and the good health of livestock, too,” Lagman told the Inquirer in a phone interview on Saturday, July 13.

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He added that the Albay veterinary office has already coordinated with concerned agencies to strengthen the existing provincial animal quarantine checkpoints.

“We will also conduct an information campaign to educate the public and relevant stakeholders about the disease,” he added.