Coxiella burnetii, the Bacteria That Cause Q Fever: A dry fracture of a Vero cell exposing the contents of a vacuole where Coxiella burnetii are busy growing. NIAID 

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said Query or Q fever transmission in the country is already under control following the immediate depopulation and condemnation of all afflicted cows and goats. 

In a media forum, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said the depopulation and condemnation of afflicted livestock in Pampanga and Marinduque were concluded on Friday, including goats and cows in surveillance areas falling within the 500-meter radius of the infected site. 

“Noong na-confirm ng series of laboratory tests itong Q fever doon sa 94 na kambing na naiangkat at nakarating ng Marinduque, iniutos po agad ng ating Kalihim iyong kagyat na depopulation or condemnation noong mga nasabing kambing magmula pa doon sa quarantine areas sa Pampanga,” he said. 

Philippines logs first case of Q fever  

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacteria, which primarily affects cattle, sheep and goats, but is also transmissible to humans through contact with infected animals or their excreta, or body and birthing fluids. 

The disease in humans causes chills, fever and muscle pain and can, if untreated, develop into liver and heart complications. 

Surveillance and contact-tracing efforts to humans and animals are underway, according to De Mesa. 

“Ngayon po ay controlled na ito ng ating Bureau of Animal Industry at nagkaroon na rin ng immediate coordination with the Department of Health on the human health side para po masigurado na walang maapektuhan na kababayan natin, especially the farm workers,” he said. 

There was no confirmed human case yet locally. 

Unang kaso ng 'Q Fever' naitala sa Pilipinas 

The DA have temporarily banned the importation of goats from the US. 

“Tuluy-tuloy iyong imbestigasyon nitong nangyari para masigurado na hindi mauulit itong paglabas ng Q fever kasi ito iyong kauna-unahang pagkakataon na na-confirm natin na may Q fever tayo,” De Mesa said.