Q fever poses a public health risk

Q fever is a widespread disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetti that affects mammals, birds, reptiles, and arthropods. Find out why it puts public health at risk and what the clinical signs are in cattle.

This bacterium produces mild disease, but in species such as cattle, sheep, and goats it causes miscarriage and prenatal death. Also It also infects humans, which is why some countries are obligated to report outbreaks of this disease.. (Read: Have you heard of Q fever in cattle? Find out why they are associated with infertility)

It is a dangerous zoonotic disease due to its high transmissibility in humans and threatens veterinarians, laboratory staff, slaughterhouses as well as breeders. Tests have shown that a significant number of people working with livestock have developed antibodies, indicating exposure to the organism as described in the section outlet World Organization for Animal Health.

Less than 50% of those infected develop the disease and most infections are mild. But human cases can present with a high fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, and vomiting, as well as chest and stomach pain.

Fever can last 1-2 weeks and lead to pneumonia and liver disorders. To treat it, it is necessary to administer long-term antibiotic therapy.

This bacterium mainly infects cattle, sheep, and goats, and usually causes mild illness. Miscarriage at the end of pregnancy is the most serious consequence.

In samples from abortions or infected animals, Diagnosis is confirmed by detection of bacteria or more frequentlyAntibodies are detected by serological tests according to the standards in the OMSA Manual for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.

In general, hygienic measures to eliminate vaginal secretions from childbirth or after childbirth, as well as cleaning and disinfecting the place of birth, prevent the spread of the disease.

This must be taken into account These bacteria are shed in milk, urine, and feces. But the highest concentrations of bacteria are detected during childbirth, the ability to reach up to 1,000 million per cubic centimeter in the amniotic fluid and placenta. (Read: What are the types of treatments for retained placenta?)

In the environment, the bacterium acquires a shape similar to a small, dense and very resistant spore, which supports both heat and drought. This dust and wind persists, which can carry them to very far places.

That should be clear It is so contagious that inhalation of a single organism can cause clinical disease in animals and humans.

Finally, outbreaks have been shown to occur when birth or abortion fluids contaminate the environment.