21/06/2024
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The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) confirmed on Friday, June 21, that cases of Q fever or query fever have been detected in goats in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.
The agency said the animals were imported from the United States in January and were subjected to tests in March and April where 19 of them tested positive of the disease.
In a press conference, Dr. Christian Daquigan, the OIC-Chief of BAI-National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division explained that Q fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii which naturally infects animals, particularly goats, sheep, and cows.
He described the bacteria as โzoonoticโ meaning it can infect humans and can cause flu-like symptoms like fever, fatigue, and muscle pain.
โThe Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) is actively addressing detected cases of Q fever. Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii and poses a public concern as it can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals by its excreta and its body fluids,โ Daquigan said.
The official said BAI has depopulated the infected animals including those which have been exposed to them.
Also, the agency is conducting surveillance and monitoring in areas where the infected animals were delivered as well as the people who handled them for traces of infection.
So far, BAI has not detected any case of human infection yet from Q fever in the country. - MNP