TARLAKENYO (June 26, 2024) — The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has confirmed the Philippines’ first case of Q Fever disease from samples taken from imported goats.
Coxiellosis is a zoonotic infection with Coxiella burnetii, which most commonly results in abortions in ruminants which include goats, carabaos, and cattle.
Q (Query) fever or Coxiellosis can infect humans and other animals.
The Department of Health said there is no confirmed human case in the country yet. Symptoms in humans develop within 2-3 weeks after exposure and are commonly non-specific and mild including fever, cough, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and headaches.
Q Fever can be cured by antibiotics widely available in the Philippines.
The DOH advises the public to avoid contact with animals suspected to have Q fever. The disease can be acquired through air-borne, contact with infected animals or body fluids of animals or by consuming contaminated meat and milk products.
In a statement released today by the provincial City and Municipal Veterinarians League of the Philippines, it urges the public to report if clinical signs are observed in their animals and to report to local health authorities if they experience flu-like symptoms.
