Philippines reports 1st case of Q fever imported from US

The Philippines has reported the first case of Q fever, a zoonotic disease, the country's Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said on Friday

Q fever, caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii that infects goats, sheep, and cows, was detected in a government breeding station in Marinduque. Results of confirmatory tests came out Wednesday, June 19.

The BAI said it has already depopulated more than five dozen goats imported from the US, as well as other animals in the Marinduque facility.

Humans can get infected from Q fever “by breathing in dust that has been contaminated by infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products,” according to the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Manila has temporarily banned the importation of goats from the US.

The BAI assured the public that they were “conducting extensive surveillance” and procuring additional polymerase chain reaction or PCR reagents for testing of suspected cases.

“Our top priority is the health and safety of both animals and humans,” Christian Daquigan, chief of BAI National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, said in a statement.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary actions to control the cases.”