Six rare glanders cases confirmed in Siquijor, 2 dead

Six rare human cases of glanders, a deadly bacterial disease primarily affecting animals, have been confirmed in Siquijor, marking the first instance of human infection in the island-province and the Negros Island Region.

Two of the six confirmed patients have died due to complications at a hospital in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Health and agriculture authorities have activated a One Health Task Force to prevent the further spread of the disease, which can cause symptoms like fever, body aches, and pneumonia.

The Department of Agriculture in Negros Island Region has ordered the immediate cessation of backyard slaughtering of two-hoofed animals throughout Siquijor to contain the spread.

Investigations are underway to trace and test animals in Siquijor, particularly in areas connected to the infected patients, to identify the source of the outbreak.

Glanders, a zoonotic disease caused by Burkholderia mallei, is transmissible to humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated resources and is considered a potential biological threat due to its high fatality rate.