DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) is investigating several officials and employees of BAI due to alleged irregularities after first case of Q-Fever disease was recorded in the imported goats procured by the Marcos admin from US.
Goat meat dishes are not common in many Filipino households.
However, it is a popular dish in various regions of the Philippines, from the well-known Filipino dishes like, “kalderetang kambing” to the simpler “papaitan.”
But, be cautious when consuming different dishes made with goat meat.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the DA has confirmed the first recorded case of Q-Fever disease in the country.
Q-Fever disease is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which infects goats, sheep, and cattle.
BAI said that this kind of disease can be transmitted to humans.
“It is zoonotic, the bacteria can be transmitted to humans and replicate similarly in the human body,” stated Dr. Christian Daquigan, OIC, National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, BAI.
Humans may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle pain, and there is no vaccine for it.
In January of this year, 66 breeder goats entered the country and were taken to the government’s Quarantine Facility in Lubao, Pampanga.
The disease was detected while they were still in the facility, but they were still transported to the government’s breeding farm in Santa Cruz, Marinduque.
“All the samples tested, a total of 19 samples, were confirmed positive,” said Asec. Arnel de Mesa, Spokesperson, DA.
BAI is taking decisive measures to contain the disease and prevent further spread.
Infected goats amounting to P10 million have been depopulated and surveillance and tracing were also conducted on goats in the identified affected areas.
BAI clarified that despite the outbreak, goat meat can still be eaten.
“It is still safe as long as we ensure that the meat is thoroughly cooked, and goat milk, which is popular nowadays, should be properly pasteurized,” according to Dr. Christian Daquigan, OIC, National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division, BAI.
The DA has coordinated with the Department of Health (DOH) to determine if any farm workers were infected.
Alleged irregularities in US-imported goats are under investigation
Currently, the DA has formed a fact-finding team following the directive of Agriculture Secretary Kiko Tiu Laurel Jr.
They will investigate several officials and employees of BAI for violations and irregularities in the importation that led to the disease’s entry.
“It’s a three-man fact-finding committee that will investigate all the events: how the disease entered, how it spread, and how it reached the local government. All these will be studied, and if there are any violations of the protocols according to BAI guidelines, there could be suspensions to uncover the truth,” said De Mesa.
The DA is set to issue a temporary ban on goats from the United States.
