Epidemiology, Zoonosos, Precautionary Measures of Q-Fever

Baba FK

Published on: 2025-12-27

Abstract

Q fever is a zoonotic disease, caused by Gram negative bacterium C. burnetii, which imparts significant socio-economic burden due to production and reproductive loss (abortion, stillbirth, and infertility) in ruminants and debilitating clinical disease in human populations. The geographical distribution of Q fever is worldwide except New Zealand. The main reservoirs for human infections are cattle, goat, sheep, and pets and ticks are the natural primary reservoir for animal. Coxiella burnetii in ruminant cause reproductive problems like miscarriage, infertility and reduced milk production. The organism can be found in the milk, urine, feces placenta and birth fluids of animals. The airborne transmission of C. burnetii associated with its highly resistance to environments and the ability to easily produce huge quantities of C. burnetii in the after birth of aborted ewes or goats have led to classify C. burnetii as a Category-B, biological terrorism agent. The incubation period of Q fever is depending on the size of infectious.