One in two dairy farms may be at risk of Q Fever

What is Q Fever?

Q Fever is a disease caused by infection with the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which can infect humans, cattle, goats, sheep and many other mammals as well as reptiles, ticks and birds.

It was first identified in Australia in 1935 after an outbreak of disease in abattoir workers.

The bacteria can survive for extended periods of time in the environment, for example up to 5 months in soil¹ and up to 2 years at minus 20^oC. The bacteria are also resistant to many commonly used disinfectants.

Alongside environmental persistence the bacteria can be spread up to 11 miles on the wind.

Risk factors for infection are mainly related to the density of ruminants. An outbreak seen in the Netherlands (2007 – 2010) was linked to a 75-fold increase in goat numbers seen in the preceding 25 years. The bacteria thrive in dry environments and rain has a negative impact on the distribution¹.

Infection is generally through inhalation of the bacteria which is shed in large numbers most commonly at parturition (placenta and birth fluids) but also shed in faeces, milk and vaginal mucous. Infected animals can shed up to 10⁹ bacteria per gram of placenta² and inhalation of as little as 10 bacteria can result in disease³.

Q Fever is important due to its zoonotic (ability to infect humans) potential.

Professionals like vets, abattoir workers, farmers, farming employees and families are at increased risk of contracting Q Fever², the main reservoirs of infection are small ruminants and cattle. Infection usually occurs through inhalation of dust or aerosols containing the organism¹⁹.

Prevalence of Q Fever:

In farmed ruminants there is good evidence for high numbers of UK and Irish herds to have been exposed to or have the bacteria circulating.

Coxiella burnetii has been identified worldwide with the exception of New Zealand⁴. Public health agencies across the globe monitor the cases in humans.

There is a varying prevalence reported in the UK and Ireland^5,6,7,8 which include

80% prevalence of positive Bulk Milk (BM) ELISA across 225 GB herds
70% BM PCR positive in SW England

Q Fever is a serious threat to farm profitability, with the cost of days open and the cost of abortions impacting farm profitability.

Q fever, a disease with underestimated consequences

Q Fever has the potential to have significant impact on livestock health and production.

Q Fever presents a risk to the reproductive performance of your herd. Do you recognise these signs?

What is Q Fever?

Q Fever is a disease caused by infection with the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which can infect humans, cattle, goats, sheep and many other mammals as well as reptiles, ticks and birds.

Q Fever is important due to its zoonotic (ability to infect humans) potential.

Professionals like vets, abattoir workers, farmers, farming employees and families are at increased risk of contracting Q Fever², the main reservoirs of infection are small ruminants and cattle. Infection usually occurs through inhalation of dust or aerosols containing the organism¹⁹.

Prevalence of Q Fever:

In farmed ruminants there is good evidence for high numbers of UK and Irish herds to have been exposed to or have the bacteria circulating.

Q Fever is a serious threat to farm profitability, with the cost of days open and the cost of abortions impacting farm profitability.

Discover more about Q Fever

Cattle

Goat

Humans

Q fever, a disease with underestimated consequences

Q Fever has the potential to have significant impact on livestock health and production.

Q Fever presents a risk to the reproductive performance of your herd. Do you recognise these signs?

What is Q Fever?

Q Fever is a disease caused by infection with the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which can infect humans, cattle, goats, sheep and many other mammals as well as reptiles, ticks and birds.

Q Fever is important due to its zoonotic (ability to infect humans) potential.

Professionals like vets, abattoir workers, farmers, farming employees and families are at increased risk of contracting Q Fever2, the main reservoirs of infection are small ruminants and cattle. Infection usually occurs through inhalation of dust or aerosols containing the organism19.

Prevalence of Q Fever:

In farmed ruminants there is good evidence for high numbers of UK and Irish herds to have been exposed to or have the bacteria circulating.

Q Fever is a serious threat to farm profitability, with the cost of days open and the cost of abortions impacting farm profitability.

Discover more about Q Fever

Cattle

Goat

Humans

Professionals like vets, abattoir workers, farmers, farming employees and families are at increased risk of contracting Q Fever², the main reservoirs of infection are small ruminants and cattle. Infection usually occurs through inhalation of dust or aerosols containing the organism¹⁹.