What is Q Fever?

Q Fever is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by a bacterium named Coxiella burnetii.

Who gets Q Fever?

In the United States, most cases of Q Fever have been mainly from occupational exposure involving veterinarians, meat processing plant workers, sheep and dairy workers, livestock farmers, and researchers at facilities housing sheep.

How is Q Fever spread?

Cattle, sheep, and goats are the primary sources of Coxiella burnetii. The organism is passed into the milk, urine and feces of infected animals. Most importantly, during the birthing process, the organisms are shed in high numbers within the amniotic fluid and the placenta. The organisms are resistant to heat, drying, and many common disinfectants. These features enable the bacteria to survive for long periods in the environment. Infection of humans usually occurs by inhalation of these organisms from air that contains airborne barnyard dust contaminated by dried placental material, birth fluids, and excreta of infected herd animals. Humans are often very susceptible to the disease and very few organisms may be required to cause infection.

What are the symptoms of Q Fever?

Only about half of all people infected with Coxiella burnetii show any signs of clinical illness. Those who do usually have sudden onset of one or more of the following: high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, confusion, sore throat, chills, sweats, non-productive cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and chest paint. Fever usually lasts for 1 to 2 weeks. Weight loss can occur and persist for some time. Most patients will recover to good health within several months without any treatment.

How soon do symptoms occur?

Most patients who become ill do so within 2 to 3 weeks after exposure. Infection with a greater numbers of organisms appears to result in a shorter incubation period (symptoms develop quicker).

How is Q Fever diagnosed?

Q Fever is difficult to diagnose and usually requires blood tests to measure antibodies against the organism. The most important step to making a diagnosis is to take an occupational/environmental history that may suggest possible exposure.

What is the treatment for Q Fever?

Most patients recover to good health within several months without any treatment. However, specific antibiotics may be used to shorten the duration of the illness.

How long is an infected person infectious to others?

In general, an infected patient is not infectious to others.

Should an infected person be excluded from work or school?

An individual with Q Fever need not be excluded from work or school.

How can Q Fever be prevented?

• Appropriately dispose of birth products at facilities housing sheep and goats.
  
• Restrict access to barns and laboratories used in housing potentially infected animals.
  
• Quarantine imported animals.
  
• Ensure that holding facilities for sheep are located away from populated areas.
  
• Vaccinate individuals engaged in research with pregnant sheep or live C. burnetii.
  
• Use only pasteurized milk and milk products.

More about Q Fever

• Surveillance Case Definitions