DA calms fears over Glanders in Siquijor

Following reports of six suspected Glanders cases in Siquijor, the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) on Friday assured the public that there is currently no cause for alarm regarding the possible spread of the disease to nearby provinces or regions.

DA-NIR Director Jose Albert Barrogo confirmed that while the presence of the bacterial infection was reported by local authorities, their agency is still waiting for the official laboratory results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) before determining the next course of action.

“Blood samples have already been collected from animals in at least three towns last week. Until the RITM confirms the findings, we cannot impose any movement restrictions or interventions,” Barrogo said. He added that, as of now, there are no restrictions on the movement of animals within or outside Siquijor.

Glanders is a zoonotic disease caused by the Burkholderia mallei bacterium. It primarily infects farm animals such as horses, goats, and cattle, but it can also be transmitted to humans. According to infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, humans can contract the bacteria through skin abrasions, mucous membranes, or by inhaling contaminated particles.

In humans, symptoms vary but may include fever, chills, cough, muscle pain, sore throat, eye irritation, and ulcers. Although the disease is potentially fatal if untreated, it can be cured with timely antibiotic treatment.

Glanders has long been eradicated in regions such as North America, Australia, and Europe, thanks to aggressive animal testing and quarantine measures. However, sporadic cases still occur in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) classifies glanders as a notifiable disease, requiring countries to report any detected cases.

Barrogo emphasized that the DA is closely monitoring the situation and will coordinate with local governments and veterinary offices as soon as the RITM releases its findings. TRACY CABRERA