Farm and Home Biosecurity
Consumer/General Public and Livestock/Row Crop Producer
Q Fever: Questions and Answers
What is Q Fever?
Q Fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a species of
bacteria that is found worldwide. It is a disease of agriculture animals, in
which the organisms grow to high concentrations in the placental tissues. The
disease, first discovered in Australia, was initially called "Query
Fever" because it’s cause was unknown.
How is Q Fever spread?
The organisms are inhaled along with dust from areas contaminated by
placental tissues, birth fluids, and excreta of infected animals. Direct contact with infected
animals and other contaminated materials, such as wool, straw, fertilizer, and
laundry of infected people has been associated with spread of the disease. Raw
milk from infected cows contains organisms and may be another source of
infection. Direct transmission from blood or bone marrow transfusion also has
been reported.
How is Q Fever associated bioterrorism?
The organism, C. burnetti, is resistant to heat and drying and can survive in
the environment for months. It is also highly infectious by the aerosol route.
Due to these features, Q Fever has been investigated and developed as a
bioweapon. It’s use would not be to generate mass fatalities, but rather to
act as an incapacitating agent.
Who can get Q Fever?
Anybody can get Q Fever but it is found most often in areas where animals may
be infected. Laboratory personnel, who work with C. burnetii, veterinarians,
meat workers, sheep and dairy workers and farmers are at the most risk.
What animals are usually associated with Q Fever?
The organisms are found in sheep, cattle, goats, cats, dogs, some wild
animals, birds, and ticks. Infected animals, including sheep and house cats,
usually do not appear sick, but shed high levels of organisms during the
birthing process. Ticks are not considered a major source of infection in the
U.S.
What are the symptoms of Q Fever?
After an incubation period of 2 to 3 weeks, some people have a sudden onset
of illness with chills, severe headache, weakness, fatigue, and severe sweats.
Others may not have any noticeable symptoms or have a general "fever of
unknown origin." The fatality rate is generally less than 1%, even in untreated cases, although it may be higher in
individuals who go on to develop endocarditis, a potential long term
manifestation of Q fever.
How is Q Fever diagnosed?
Most diagnoses are based on serologic tests that identify antibody to C.
burnetii in the blood. Isolation of the organism is usually impractical, as the organism is
difficult to grow in the laboratory, and is extremely infectious to laboratory
personnel.
What is the treatment for Q Fever?
Treatment is usually with antibiotics such as tetracycline or chloramphenicol
started during illness and continued for several days after fever is gone.
Is there a vaccine available?
There is no commercially available vaccine in the U.S., although a Q fever
vaccine is licensed in Australia. The U.S. Army, however, has an investigational
vaccine that is available for its personnel and others who are most at risk,
such as laboratory workers.
How can Q Fever be prevented?
Prevention is through education of the public on sources of infection and the
need for proper disinfection and disposal of animal products after the birthing
process. Those operating cow and sheep sheds, barns and laboratories which use
such animals should restrict access to these areas. Only pasteurized milk from
cows, goats and sheep should be consumed.
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