The public is advised to stay away from sick animals following suspected cases of glanders disease in Siquijor, Dr Girlie Pinongan, Negros Occidental provincial health officer, said on Wednesday, May 21.
Pinongan said some people in Siquijor were hospitalized after eating carabao meat , and manifested symptoms of glanders disease.
They reportedly butchered a sick carabao that died and ate its meat, she said.
The results of tests to determine whether those who became ill had glanders disease are still being awaited, she said.
Glanders disease is a zoonotic disease of animals caused by bacteria. It can be transmitted to humans through droplets. Human to human transmission is rare, she said.
Glanders often affects horses, carabaos and goats, Pinongan said.*