Q Fever (Coxiellosis)
What is it?
Coxiellosis, also known as Q Fever, is a zoonotic disease mainly affecting mammals including sheep, goats and cattle. The disease has also been reported in various other mammals, birds, and reptiles. The causative agent of the disease is the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Q fever is found in almost every country and was first discovered in Australia. The “Q” stands for query because scientists couldn’t determine the root cause of the disease (Coxiella burnetii bacteria) when it was first discovered.
Transmission
The majority of infections are spread by direct contact between infected and non-infected animals. Animals inhale or ingest infected materials or secretions like saliva, milk, urine, feces, and birthing fluids. Transmission may also be a result of contact with objects contaminated with these bodily fluids (fomites). The bacteria have also been found to circulate between wild animals via ticks, which can transmit the disease through a bite.
Signs and Symptoms
The majority of infected animals do not exhibit significant clinical signs. The most common indicator of a Q Fever infection in affected animals is late term abortion, stillbirth or the birth of small or weak offspring.
Diagnosis
Samples can be collected from tissues from sick animals, aborted fetuses and/or afterbirth and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory to identify C. burnetii bacteria. Additionally, collecting blood samples on whole herds can identify if the disease is, or has been, present in the group by testing for an antibody response. If tested animals show a positive antibody response, it means members of the herd were infected at one point in time.
Human Risk
People can be exposed to C. burnetii after breathing in dust contaminated with animal body fluids, consuming unpasteurized milk products, or less commonly, being bitten by an infected tick. Veterinarians and livestock handlers have a greater chance of exposure than the public. Many people with acute Q fever do not experience symptoms. Those who develop symptoms usually experience a flu-like illness. Anyone with Q fever can later develop chronic Q fever, which is a severe form of the disease with complications such as endocarditis. People who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or have valvular heart disease are at highest risk for chronic Q fever infection.
Prevention
Precautions should be taken to separate pregnant livestock from the rest of the herd. Animals that have experienced an abortion or a stillbirth should be isolated and separated from the remaining pregnant animals in the herd. Livestock handlers should regularly clean and disinfect birthing areas and properly dispose of afterbirth because C. burnetii can remain viable for prolonged periods in the environment and is extremely resistant to heat, drying, and many common disinfectants. The bacteria can survive on equipment, so routine cleaning should be a standard precaution. Ticks can carry the bacteria and minimizing livestock exposure to tick habitat and routinely examining animals for ticks can reduce risk of this disease. Vaccines are available in countries where the disease is an ongoing threat but are not currently available in the United States. People should avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products. They should wear gloves, an N95 respirator, and eye protection when assisting with the births of cattle, goats, or sheep.
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