Four more workers on pig farms in the Philippines have tested positive for antibodies against the Ebola-Reston virus by the Department of Health (DOH), according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque and reported in The Manila Times on January 31.
The article said that the possibility of pig-to-human transmission cannot be discounted. The four new cases were from pig farms in Bulacan, Pangasinan, and Valenzuela City, and a slaughterhouse in Pangasinan.
The DOH is looking for other persons who may have been in contact with the infected farm workers and potentially exposed to the virus.
Cases total five
The laboratory findings from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bring the number of pig farm workers infected as of January 30 to five.
The first who tested positive for Ebola-Reston antibodies was a 41-year-old male backyard farmer in Valenzuela, Bulacan, who had direct contact with sick pigs. The DOH reportedly said that he remains well and has not been sick in 12 months.
Other pig illness reports
The Department of Agriculture is also investigating reports of Hog Cholera and salmonella in unusual occurrence of sick and dying pigs in Santa Maria, Davao del Sur, Batangas; and Hog Cholera and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome in pigs in Santa Rita, Samar, the article continued.
How to limit risk
Steps recommended by the Departments of Health and Agriculture to limit risk to humans and animals:
- Report any unusual sick or dying pigs to local veterinary or agriculture authorities.
- Use protective equipment like gloves when handling commercial or backyard animals.
- Buy meat that has been certified safe by an inspection service.
- Thoroughly cook pork and pork products at high head (700 C).
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