Q Fever
(Coxiella burnetii infection)
General information
Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Although a
variety of animals may be infected, cattle, sheep, and goats are the
primary reservoirs for C. burnetii. Infected animals can shed the
organism in birthing fluids, placenta, milk, urine, and feces. Coxiella
is extremely hardy and resistant to heat, drying, and many common
disinfectants which enable it to survive for long periods in a
contaminated environment (maternity pen, stall, barnyard). Infection of
humans usually occurs by inhalation of C burnetii from air that
contains barnyard dust contaminated by dried placental material, birth
fluids, and excreta of infected animals. Other less common modes of
transmission include ingestion of unpasteurized milk and dairy products,
and tick bites.
The majority of infected humans exhibit mild flu-like
symptoms or are asymptomatic. Acute and chronic clinical disease forms
can occur in patients. Acute illness symptoms range from fever,
headache, myalgia, non-productive cough, and gastrointestinal upset to
more serious illness such as pneumonia, hepatitis, miscarriage, or
myocarditis. Chronic Q fever is a severe illness occurring in <5% of
infected patients. Endocarditis is the most common manifestation of the
chronic form. Diagnosis of Q fever can be challenging, but the disease
is often successfully treated when identified early.
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Q fever (Exit DHS)
Information for health professionals
This is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category II disease:
Report to
the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin
Electronic Disease Surveillance System
(WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease Case
Report F44151 (PDF,
167 KB) or by other means within 72 hours upon recognition of a
case. DHS
Communicable Disease Reporting
Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidelines: Q
fever EpiNet (PDF, 101 KB)
CDC Q
Fever case report (Exit DHS)
CDC
Q Fever diagnosis and laboratory guidance for clinicians (Exit DHS)
Additional resources
The
Center for Food Security and Public Health - Q Fever (Exit DHS)
Contacts
Wisconsin
Local Health Departments - Regional offices - Tribal agencies
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Last Revised:
June 13, 2012 |
