By Jen Baylon

Two male residents of Siquijor have died from glanders, the Department of Health-Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) confirmed.

Dr. Nikka Hao, DOH-NIR director, said on Wednesday, May 28, the fatalities were among the six confirmed glanders cases in the province. The remaining patients continue to receive treatment at a hospital in Dumaguete City.

Glanders is a zoonotic disease primarily affecting animals with hooves such as horses, donkeys, and carabaos, but it can also be transmitted to humans. The disease can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Hao noted that the two, who succumbed due to complications, had pre-existing health conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, which may have contributed to the severity of their illness.

She explained that early detection and treatment of glanders is important.

“Now that people are more aware of it, treatment can be started faster,” she said.

The DOH is currently actively conducting contact tracing to identify others who may have been exposed to the disease in Siquijor. While only six cases have been laboratory-confirmed so far, additional individuals are being assessed following exposure to sick animals.

Samples from suspected cases have been sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for further validation.

For its part, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in NIR ordered the immediate cessation of backyard slaughtering of two-hoofed animals, such as goats, cattle, carabaos, and pigs, throughout Siquijor.

DA-NIR acting director Albert Barrogo said the order was part of efforts to contain the spread of glanders in Suquijor and the region.

Meanwhile, Siquijor’s Gov. Jake Vincent Villa reassured residents and tourists that despite the confirmed cases, the province remains safe.

In a Facebook post, he stated that the provincial government, in cooperation with the Negros Island Region One Health Task Force and the DOH, continues to monitor the situation closely to safeguard public health./JB, WDJ