Philippines Acts to Contain Q Fever Outbreak Among Imported Livestock

QUEZON CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has confirmed that all livestock infected with Q fever have been depopulated and condemned following the detection of the disease in imported goats. Surveillance and contact tracing efforts are currently active in the impacted regions.

According to Philippines News Agency, the drastic measure was taken after tests confirmed Q fever in goats imported from the United States to Marinduque. “Once the Q fever was confirmed through a series of laboratory tests on the 94 goats that had been imported and had reached Marinduque, our Secretary immediately ordered their depopulation or condemnation, starting from the quarantine areas in Pampanga,” De Mesa stated.

He explained that the depopulation protocol was extended to include all goats and cows within a 500-meter radius of the infected site. The process was completed over the past few days, and contact tracing is still ongoing to prevent further spread of the disease.

The DA is also working closely with the Department of Health to monitor the health of residents in the affected areas, particularly farmworkers who are at higher risk of exposure. Q fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii and can infect humans through inhalation of dust contaminated with infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products. Symptoms in humans include fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle pain.

In response to the outbreak, De Mesa announced a temporary ban on the importation of goats from the US until the source of the disease is identified. “Our investigation will continue to ensure this does not happen again, as this is the first time we are confirming a case of Q fever here,” he emphasized.

The initial batch of infected goats arrived in the Philippines on January 11 and was quarantined in Pampanga, where they underwent a mandatory 30-day quarantine and testing. The first positive results for Q fever were recorded on February 6, with subsequent tests confirming the infection in additional goats transferred to Marinduque.