Since before the 15th century A.D. goats were introduced to the Philippines by the Muslims mainly for trade and milk. But the Spaniards showed Filipinos the various uses of goat which expanded its popularity in Mindanao, Visayas, and Palawan.
Back then, Q (Query) Fever Disease was unheard not until June 2024– with the four changes in the leadership of the Bureau of Animal Industry, overseer of the livestock sector, and the changes in policies.
Q Fever first erupted from among the imported live goats from the US while in a farm in Pampanga and a government breeding station in Marinduque during 30-day quarantine prior to shipment to the south.
THE OUTBREAK
The Department of Agriculture investigated the outbreak, suspended imports from the United States and culled the animals. Heads rolled yet no one could explain how the hardy organism got into the farms and affected the goats.
The live goats were cleared by US regulatory agencies before being boarded into a plane that landed at NAIA in June 2024.
Q fever, a disease caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacteria, has been reported in many countries, including those in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Countries where Q Fever has been reported in goats include: Thailand, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Other countries where Q fever has been reported are Bulgaria, China, France, Australia, and The Netherlands.
Except for New Zealand, C. burnetti prevalence is greatest in Africa and the Middle East. Reported rates of human infection are higher in France and Australia than in the US.
Cases of Q fever in travelers are most often reported in people who visited rural areas or farms with cattle, goats, sheep, or other livestock. During 1990–2013, around 250 travel-related cases of Q fever were reported with examples of travel-acquired Q fever in soldiers deployed to rural areas, travelers with livestock contact and consumption of unpasteurized milk.
Q Fever first erupted from among the imported live goats from the US while in a farm in Pampanga and a government breeding station in Marinduque during 30-day quarantine prior to shipment to the south.
TRANSMISSIBLE
Q fever, a zoonotic disease, can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals and their excreta.
Transmission to humans causes chills, fatigue, headache, coughs, vomiting, fever and muscle pain and, untreated, can develop into liver and heart complications.
Though the outbreak was contained last year, the risks are high that Q Fever– which can be transferred to humans– might be another epidemic waiting to happen with the unresolved questions about its origin and with the DA’s penchant for importing everything (live animals included). If an advanced nation like the US still does not have a vaccine for Q Fever, how much more for a Third World country like ours.
To prevent Q fever, travelers should avoid areas where potentially infected animals are kept and avoid consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. A human vaccine for Q fever has been produced and used in Australia but none is available in America.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
In June, the US Center for Disease Control Yellow Book 2024 outlined preventive measures for Q Fever: “1) Avoid exposure to infected animals, 2)Follow safe food precautions and 3) avoid unpasteurized dairy products. It also said that vaccine (Q Vax) is available in Australia, but not in the US.
As of September 30, 2023, the goat count was at 3.86 million goats, declining from the previous year’s 3.94 million heads. About 99.2 percent of goats come from small-hold farms while semi commercial and commercial farms contributed only 0.39 percent and 0.37 percent, respectively.
The goats that tested positive for the disease were mostly in Santa Cruz, Marinduque and, fortunately, there is no confirmed human case yet, said Dr. Christian Daquigan, OIC of BAI’s National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division.
Q Fever can be blown by the wind in long distances and only a few infectious aerosolized particles are necessary to cause serious illness,” the National Institute of Health explained, adding it can masquerade as other illnesses.
The NIH highlighted the importance of laboratory testing for diagnosis and treatment.
COOKING CHEVRON
Properly cooking goat meat can prevent infection, said the Department of Health.
Placenta from animals giving birth, especially those cared for by farm handlers or veterinarians, can be a source of Q fever transmission.
Human-to-human transmission is very rare, said Health spokesman Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo.
Goat meat, or chevon, is said to be healthier than beef, pork and chicken as it has lower calories, cholesterol and saturated fat. Chevon can be sold as fresh or chilled. If chilled, it must be kept at 0 to 4 degrees Celsius (℃) to prevent bacterial growth.
The DA —as frontliner in the food chain— must guide importers about countries where livestock can be safely acquired… unless it does not care about human health and safety.