A study on the role of pigs and cattle as healthy carriers of salmonellae and other human enteric pathogens in the Philippines

After examining a total of 1,000 bile specimens from apparently healthy pigs, 22 (2.2%) were found positive not only for Salmonellae but also for other human enteric pathogens. Eighteen (1.8%) were positive for Salmonellea consisting of 6 serotypes, viz., S. anatum, S. javiana, S. weltevreden, S. Stanley, S. Derby and S. Newport. Three (0.3%) were positive for E. tarda, and 1 (0.1%) was positive for Providence group group of paracolon bacilli. Of the total 500 bile specimens from apparently healthy cattle axamined, 4 (0.8%) were found positive not only for Salmonellae but also for other human enteric pathogens. One (.2%) was positive for Salmonella (S. anatum), 1 (0.2%) was positive for a Providence group of paracolon bacilli, and 2 (0.4%) were positive for Alkalescens-Dispar. It is therefore concluded that pigs and cattle, like man, act as carriers of Salmonella and other human enteric pathogens with the organism localizing in the gall bladder

Dengue fever in the Philippines - a resume

This paper presents a brief historical resume of dengue fever in the Philippines, and attempts to summarize the information available regarding epidemiology, transmission, etiology, pathology, clinical picture and some ecology of dengue fever. The following observations were established: Historically the disease was most common among Americans coming for the first time to the Philippines. The incidence among Filipinos was low probably due to relative immunity from repeated exposure. Dengue fever was endemic in the Philippines, especially Manila and its suburbs, and occured in epidemic proportions. Dengue rates among Americans were highest in this country as compared to Hawaii, Panama and the United States. The disease was not observed among natives and Americans in Baguio and its vicinity due most likely to the absence or lack of an efficient vector and low temperature. The annual dengue rate varied according to the degree of rainfall and humidity, cases being highest between the months of April and November. Dengue fever attacked both sexes, primarily children and young adult producing practically no mortality. Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus, and possibly A. aescutellaris and A.polynesiensis, were recognized as vectors of dengue fever in the Philippines. Presently there are dissenting opinions on the actual number of immunologic types of dengue fever viruses. The pathology and clinical picture of the disease were describedThe essential need for more studies on the present status of dengue fever in the Philippines has been underlined, especially those aspects where experimental evidence is lacking. Presently, with the appearance of an apparently new disease, Philippines hemorrhagic fever, related to dengue fever but with exaggerated manifestations, the author feels that a number of points of departure could be made use of based on observations made in this paper. (Summary)

Zoonoses: a general discussion with a proposed guide list for physicians and veterinarians in the Philippines

Schwabe defines zoonoses as those infections and infestations shared in nature by man and lower vertebrates. The field of zoonoses places the physician and veterinarian in juxtaposition and focuses the relationship between veterinary medicine and human health. Zoonoses are classified according to the kind of life cycle of the infectious organism and the host that maintains them in nature, according to the nature of the reservoir host, and according to etiology. A list of zoonoses in the Philippines, classified according to etiology, is proposed to serve as local guide to physicians and veterinarians

The Manila veterinary inspection board and its role in the prevention of human diseases

The Veterinary Inspection Board of the City of Manila is the sole government agency in the Philippines involved in purely veterinary public health work. It performs veterinary and food hygiene regulator services which comprise of systems for slaughter, handling, and inspection of meat, poultry, fish, milk and their products and pound services in relation to public health. It emphasizes the role of food hygiene and regulation of animal movements in the control and prevention of food-transmitted and animal-borne human diseases. (Author)