Zoonoses: Questions and answers on Q-fever
1. What is Q-Fever?
Q-Fever is a disease of animals and man arising from infection by the organism Coxiella burnetii. Coxiella burnetii belongs to a group of organisms known as rickettsia. It is not a notifiable disease under animal health legislation but there is a requirement with regard to human health under health and safety legislation. Please see Qs 6 and 7 below.
2. Is Q-Fever infection found in animals?
Yes. The infection has been found in various wild and domestic animals and birds and in some arthropods, such as ticks. The species most commonly infected are cattle, sheep and goats but even in these species disease is uncommon.
3. Is the organism found in the UK?
The organism is distributed world wide, and is present in the UK.
4. Does the organism cause disease in animals?
Often the organism does not cause any disease in animals, but occasionally infections have been recorded as causing placentitis (inflammation of the placenta) and abortion in cattle, sheep and goats.
5. Does Q Fever cause disease in humans?
In humans Q Fever is generally a self limiting illness and many people who become infected suffer no symptoms. Some individuals become ill: their symptoms will usually be similar to a flu-like illness or pneumonia. In a small number of cases there may be serious complications. Medical advice should be sought if there is concern.
6. Is Q-Fever a notifiable disease?
Q-Fever is not a notifiable disease in animals in Great Britain. However, farmers should be aware of legislation requiring notification of human cases under the Health and Safety at Work Act which can be found on the HSE website.
7. What is RIDDOR?
RIDDOR refers to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.
8. Why is it called Q-Fever?
In August 1935, E H Derrick, the Director of the Laboratory of Microbiology and Pathology at the Queensland Health Department at Brisbane, Australia was asked to investigate an outbreak of undiagnosed febrile illness among abattoir workers in Brisbane. He named the illness Q for “query fever”.
9. How is the infection spread in animals?
The organism may be present in reproductive fluids of infected animals, e.g. sheep, at lambing, with infection of other animals occurring through inhalation of aerosols, or ingestion of infected contaminated material. There is also the possibility that ticks carrying the infection may infect animals. The organism may also be present in raw milk, urine and faeces from infected animals. The organism may survive in the environment for variable periods of time and be a source of infection.
10. How common is the infection in livestock in Great Britain?
Animal infection is most commonly reported in ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats). Infection is generally considered to cause little disease in livestock so specific studies have to be conducted to assess its presence. Each year a small number of infections have been associated with abortion in cattle and sheep. It is an uncommon diagnosis of the cause of abortion in cattle and sheep in Great Britain. Material submitted to Veterinary Laboratories Agency for the diagnosis of the cause of abortion in cattle, sheep and goats in England and Wales resulted in two diagnoses in cattle and three in sheep and goats during 2006.
11. What measures are used to control Q-Fever in animals?
Q-Fever does not normally cause disease in animals. There have been cases of abortion in sheep and in cattle associated with the organism. Control of the infection where required would concentrate on management practices such as separation of animals, and hygiene measures such as appropriate disposal of placentas. If a farmer is concerned that Q-Fever infection is causing disease in the livestock, the private veterinary surgeon should be consulted for advice.
12. Where can I find out more information about Q fever and human health?
Information about Q fever and human health is available on the HPA website.
Page last modified:
2 May, 2007