PH BANS IMPORTATION OF US GOATS DUE TO Q FEVER

The Philippines is prohibiting the entry of live goats from the United States after several imported goats from America tested positive for human-transmissible Q fever.

In Memorandum Order No. 26, issued June 20, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. banned the importation of live goats from the US.

Tiu Laurel cited the recent importation of live goats from the US that tested positive for Coxiella burnetti, the bacterium that causes Q fever, on June 19.

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) earlier said that out of 94 goats that arrived in the country, 19 samples tested positive for Q fever.

The animals were already culled following the detection of the disease.

“There is neither effective treatment nor vaccination available in the country for the animals; thus, there is a need to institute radical measures to contain the spread of this outbreak to protect the local ruminant industry and the health of the general public,” Tiu Laurel said.

The Agriculture chief also ordered the immediate suspension of processing, evaluation of the application, and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) for goats coming from the US.

“All approved yet unused SPSIC for goats coming from the USA are deemed cancelled upon the issuance of this memorandum,” he said.

Moreover, all goat shipments coming from the US that are in transit, loaded/accepted unto port before the official issuance of the order to American authorities shall be allowed “subject to quarantine rules and testing requirements.”

The order took effect immediately and shall remain in force unless revoked in writing.

According to the Department of Health, Q fever is transmissible to humans, especially among farmers and animal handlers who are in frequent contact with infected animals. However, cases of human to human transmission can be considered rare.

Symptoms of the disease in humans surface two to three weeks after exposure and are commonly non-specific and mild, the DOH said. These symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, cough, nausea, and vomiting. 

Q fever can be cured through antibiotics, the Health Department added.

To prevent infection, the DOH advised the public to avoid contact with animals suspected to have Q fever. —VBL, GMA Integrated News

  

This article PH bans importation of US goats due to Q fever was originally published in GMA News Online.

2024-06-27T09:08:24Z dg43tfdfdgfd