“Q fever is an infection caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. The organism is found in most parts of the world and is endemic in wild and domestic animals, rodents, and arthropods, which provide a reservoir for infection. Most outbreaks have been associated directly or indirectly with farms or farm animals, but urban outbreaks have … More Journal extract: van Woerden et al. (2004)
“A case control study (26 cases and 52 matched controls) produced no evidence that direct contact with animals or animal products had caused the outbreak. The epidemic curve suggested a point source exposure in the week beginning 10 April. The home addresses of cases were clustered in a rectangle 11 miles (18.3 km) north/south by … More Journal extract: Hawker et al. (1998)
“C. burnetii can be effectively transmitted to a large number of people through a common exposure. This outbreak raises the issue of underdiagnosis of Q fever, especially when a primary practitioner treats a sporadic case that manifests as an influenza-like illness. In our study, the working diagnosis of the majority of the physicians was a … More Journal extract: Amitai et al. (2010)
“Windborne spread is well recognised and the organism can travel several km.” “Town planning should consider the potential for windborne spread of Q fever and limit the encroachment of residential dwellings on existing likely sources of Q fever including abattoirs, tanneries, and stockyards. The recommended buffer zone between residential dwellings and these types of facilities … More ‘Keep your distance!’ – QLD Health
“Our group is not opposed to MeatCo operating an abattoir in Sunraysia – we simply believe that if Mildura is to have an abattoir slaughtering feral goats, a new abattoir should be built well away from any residential area, in the new Thurla industrial estate […] our principal concern about the abattoir reopening is the possible … More “Our principal concern about the abattoir reopening is the possible risk to citizens’ health” – Residents
“A small cluster of Q fever cases has been reported in the Riverland town of Waikerie, prompting livestock handlers and abattoir workers to ensure they are vaccinated against the disease. But, in a unique finding, four confirmed cases have been detected in a 1-kilometre radius of a goat abattoir, not related to meat or livestock … More “It is likely the infection is a result of inhalation of contaminated dust from the abattoir” – SA Health
“Dr Shepherd was familiar with Q-fever and was willing to assist Blayney Shire Council to avoid the problems faced by other councils which had allowed construction of a rangeland goat abattoir near a town or city. Dr Shepherd said if Blayney council continued to support the proposal they were “placing the health, longevity, and even … More “Health, longevity, and even lives” at risk – Shepherd
“University of Sydney veterinary scientist Katrina Bosward, one of Australia’s eminent Q-fever researchers, said there had been no research into whether goats in that part of the country were carrying high levels of Q-fever. “The abattoir certainly needs a risk analysis by independent people that know what they are doing,” Dr Bosward said. While Q-fever … More “The abattoir certainly needs a risk analysis” – Bosward
“Four individuals had mixed infections of Q fever with another zoonotic infection, two with leptospirosis, and two with brucellosis. Only 44% of suspected cases of Q fever were shown to have complement-fixing antibodies to Q fever four weeks after the infection, but 74% had anti-bodies 12 weeks after infection. This epidemic of Q fever occurred … More Journal extract: Buckley (1980)
“The aerosol route (inhalation of infected fomites) is the primary mode of human contamination with C. burnetii. Contamination by C. burnetii aerosols may occur directly from parturient fluids of infected animals, which may contaminate newborn animals, placenta, or wool. C. burnetii is very resistant to killing in nature and may survive for several weeks in … More Journal extract: Maurin and Raoult (1999)
Q Fever Action Network 