DA bans importation of live goats from US

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has banned the importation of live goats from the United States following the detection of Q fever cases in the country.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday issued the ban after 19 of 66 goats recently imported from the US tested positive for Q fever.

“Q fever is a notifiable zoonotic disease listed under Article 1.3.1 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organization for Animal Health. This is the first officially confirmed case of Q fever in imported goats,” Tiu Laurel said in a memorandum.

He said there is no treatment or available local vaccine that could prevent the disease.

“There is a need to institute radical measures to contain the spread of the disease to protect the local ruminant industry and the health of the public,” Tiu Laurel said.

He ordered the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of application and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) for goats.

“All approved yet unused SPSIC for goats coming from the USA are deemed canceled upon the issuance of this memorandum. All goat shipments from the United States of America that are in transit before the official communication of this order to American authorities will be allowed, subject to quarantine rules and testing requirements,” he said.

The DA and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) confirmed the first case of Q fever in the country after samples taken from imported goats tested positive for the disease.

DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the BAI imported at least 66 goats, which arrived on Jan 11.

The animals were subjected to a series of tests after they showed signs of sickness while undergoing quarantine in Pampanga.

Earlier, Tiu Laurel ordered an investigation into the importation of goats.

Some BAI personnel have been placed under preventive suspension pending results of the investigation.

Tiu Laurel directed concerned DA officials to review the BAI’s quarantine and disease control protocol.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Q fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which affect animals such as goat, sheep and cattle.

People can contract the disease by breathing dust contaminated with an infected animal’s feces, urine, milk and birth products.