'Incurable' swamp disease hits horses in Baguio

An incurable and infectious ailment has claimed the lives of more than 20 horses in Baguio, which is one of the tourist attractions in the province.

A "24 Oras" report of Marisol Abdurahman said that as of March 20, at least 27 horses were killed due to swamp fever, an infectious illness that only affects horses but cannot be transmitted to humans.

Swamp fever is caused by a bacterial infection from an insect bite, specifically from horseflies.

With limited tourists in Baguio due to the pandemic, horse owners' livelihood was again severely affected after the swamp fever killed several of their horses.

Dr. Brigit Piok of the Baguio City Veterinary Office said the only way to prevent the spread of swamp fever is to either isolate or euthanize the infected horses.

"It is a concern of course. It is incurable. The recommendation of the World Animal Health Organization is to isolate or euthanize the infected horses," Piok said in mixed Filipino and English.

Piok said they have yet to determine how the viral ailment entered Baguio.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong already ordered a mandatory isolation of horses sickened by swamp fever. -Consuelo Marquez/MDM, GMA News