Q Fever is zoonotic. Professionals like vets, abattoir workers, farmers, farming employees and families are at increased risk of contracting Q Fever2. Infection usually occurs through inhalation of dust or aerosols containing the organism19.
60% of human infections will remain asymptomatic18. In the acute symptomatic infections, the majority of people will have a flu-like syndrome20 with a small number needing hospitalisation for lung disease, hepatitis or meningitis21. In 2% of cases the infection becomes chronic which can lead to disease of the heart valves or chronic fatigue syndrome21. If infected when pregnant women may suffer from abortions or preterm births22.
In the Netherlands outbreak between 2007 and 2010, there were more than 3,000 clinical cases recorded with sadly 24 deaths due to Q Fever. Overall, it is thought that in the region of 40,000 people were infected21!
In the UK there have also been clusters of cases23:
2002: South Wales 95 acute cases linked to renovation work in an office of a cardboard manufacturing plant24.
2006: 142 cases linked to airborne transmission form a sheep lairage of a meat processing plant25.
Overall, the incidence of human cases in the UK is low but with their increased risk, vets and farmers should be aware of the disease potential.
Ceva Animal Health Ltd
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