Siquijor confirms 6 rare human infections from deadly animal disease glanders

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This is the first time human infections have been documented in Siquijor and the Negros Island Region

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Health and agriculture authorities are working to contain the spread of glanders, a rare and potentially deadly bacterial disease, after six human cases were confirmed in the island-province of Siquijor. This is the first time human infections have been documented in Siquijor and the Negros Island Region (NIR).

The symptoms of infection include fever, body aches, headache, sneezing, chills, and chest pain. In severe cases, glanders can lead to skin ulcers and pneumonia.

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday, May 25, that a One Health Task Force has been activated to prevent further spread to nearby provinces, including Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. The task force includes personnel from the DOH, Department of Agriculture (DA), and local governments.

INFECTED. A horse infected with glanders, a deadly bacterial disease that can spread to humans through direct contact. World Organisation for Animal Heath website

Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent Villa confirmed that six Siquijodnons were infected, but are out of danger. DA-NIR acting director Albert Barrogo said they were taken to a hospital in nearby Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Barrogo said animal tracing and testing have begun in Siquijor, especially in areas where the patients lived or worked.

Glanders is classified as a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei. It primarily affects horses and other animals but can infect humans through direct contact with sick or dead animals, contaminated meat or water, or through open wounds. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention classifies it as a biological threat agent due to its high fatality rate and possible use in bioterrorism.

The disease has been eradicated in countries such as the United States, Australia, and members of the European Union, but continues to persist in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. 

Infected animals may show no symptoms but can still shed the bacteria, making containment difficult. The disease can also spread through contaminated feed and water, and make farmers, livestock handlers, and slaughterhouse workers at higher risk of getting infected.

Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral said human symptoms range from fever and chest pain to pneumonia and skin ulcers. She warned that glanders can be life-threatening if not treated early.

Although human-to-human transmission is rare, the DOH and DA have issued public health advisories urging residents to avoid contact with sick or dead animals, refrain from consuming their meat or milk, and observe proper hygiene.

Barrogo said animal blood samples have been sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for confirmation. He added that culling may be necessary if results return positive, as recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) in the absence of a cure. 

Antibiotics can be used, but culling is still the best solution to wipe out the disease. “As of now, we cannot say so unless we have the results. If positive, then the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will have to recommend what to do next,” Barrogo said.

Glanders had been detected in other parts of the country in recent years. From 2023 to 2024, five confirmed cases were reported in Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and Mimaropa, according to task force records.

The Siquijor outbreak has prompted concerns about tourism, a key part of the province’s economy, but Palermo-Maestral downplayed the concerns.

“I think this could not affect the tourism industry in the province since those infected were all locals and not tourists,” said Palermo-Maestral.

The regional health task force has declared Siquijor safe for both residents and visitors.

Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant. Residents are advised to avoid contact with animals showing signs of illness, not consume products from potentially infected sources, and seek medical attention for symptoms that do not resolve. – Rappler.com