Q fever infection of US imported goats might be endemic, says DA chief

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday bared that its investigation has found that the imported goats from the US, which tested positive for Q fever, might have been infected in the Philippines.

“May pinapunta akong team sa Amerika… and parang lumalabas hindi doon galing (I sent a team to America… there were indications that the infection did not originate from there),” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters at the sidelines of the post-State of the Nation Address forum in Pasay City.

“Mukhang endemic na dito sa atin (It seems to be endemic here),” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA chief said that records shared by the USDA showed that “mukhang dito din nagkasakit yung yung mga kambing (it seems the goats got infected here).”

Late last month, the Bureau of Animal of Industry confirmed the very first case of Q fever in dozens of goats from the US.

Q fever is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. The disease can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their excreta and body fluid.

Tiu Laurel, nonetheless, said that Q fever is not widespread and only present in limited areas.

“Madaling gamutin with the available medicines we have in the Philippines. Our protocols, ang policies ng Bureau of Animal Industry, is to strengthen it further make sure na walang makakalusot na mga ganitong sakit sa quarantine,” the Agriculture chief said.

(It can be cured with available medicines we have in the Philippines. Our protocols, the policies of the Bureau of Animal Industry, is to strengthen it further to make sure no infection will go past quarantine.)

“Mukhang isolated incident (This looks like an isolated incident),” he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News