Q fever risk factors
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Q fever is caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii. This organism is uncommon but may be found in cattle, sheep, goats and other domestic mammals, including cats and dogs. The infection results from inhalation of contaminated particles in the air, and from contact with the vaginal mucus, milk, feces, urine or semen of infected animals. The incubation time is 9-40 days. It is considered possibly the most infectious disease in the world, as a human being can be infected by a single bacterium [1].
Risk Factors
One can get Q fever by drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk, or after inhaling dust or droplets in the air that are contaminated with animal feces, blood, or birth products. Some studies have shown more men to be affected than women,[2][3] which may be attributed to different employment rates in typical professions.
"At risk" occupations include, but are not limited to:
- veterinary personnel
- stockyard workers
- farmers
- shearers
- animal transporters
- laboratory workers handling potentially infected veterinary samples or visiting abattoirs
- people who cull and process kangaroos
- hide (tannery) workers
References
- ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/qfever/
- ↑ Domingo P, Muñoz C, Franquet T, Gurguí M, Sancho F, Vazquez G (1999). "Acute Q fever in adult patients: report on 63 sporadic cases in an urban area". Clin. Infect. Dis. 29 (4): 874–9. doi:10.1086/520452. PMID 10589906. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Dupuis G, Petite J, Péter O, Vouilloz M (1987). "An important outbreak of human Q fever in a Swiss Alpine valley". Int J Epidemiol. 16 (2): 282–7. doi:10.1093/ije/16.2.282. PMID 3301708. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help)