The Department of Agriculture (DA) is stepping up efforts to contain the spread of melioidosis, a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease, following confirmed human cases in the island province of Siquijor.

The DA, through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and its Negros Island Region field office (DARFO-NIR), is working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the disease, which was initially mistaken for glanders.

Melioidosis is caused by the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium, commonly found in soil and water in tropical climates. It can infect humans and animals through open wounds, inhalation, or ingestion of contaminated water — posing a serious threat in rural and farming communities. There is currently no vaccine available for the disease.

The DA has already dispatched surveillance teams to the affected areas and implemented disease control protocols to prevent further transmission. Samples are being sent to reference laboratories for confirmatory testing, while on-the-ground monitoring continues.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the Agriculture department to prioritize public health and livestock protection, especially in regions vulnerable to zoonotic diseases. The DA is urging animal raisers to bolster farm biosecurity, comply with sanitary protocols, and ensure that animals for trade or transport are disease-free.

The department also reiterated the ban on the slaughter and sale of sick animals, reminding consumers to only buy meat from officially inspected sources. Unpasteurized milk should be avoided, and safe food handling and cooking practices must be observed to prevent foodborne infections.

Meanwhile, farm workers and residents — particularly those in areas with muddy or flooded conditions — are advised to wear protective gear like boots and gloves to reduce exposure to potentially contaminated soil and water.