Q Fever Fact Sheet No. 8.022 Livestock Series|Health by D. Van Metre* Q fever is an infectious disease of animals Quick Facts and humans caused by a species of bacteria called Coxiella burnetii. This organism is • Q fever is an infectious very durable – it can survive for months in disease of animals and the environment. Sheep, goats, and cattle can humans caused by a species carry the organism. The bacteria can be shed of bacteria called Coxiella by these animals in feces, urine, milk, and in burnetii. the birthing fluids and membranes. Animals that carry this organism and shed it into the • Sheep, goats, and cattle can environment usually do not show any signs carry the organism. of disease. • Animals that carry this organism and shed it into the Q Fever in Animals environment usually do not Coxiella burnetii is most frequently found show any signs of disease. in ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) but can also be detected in wildlife and pets. Sheep appear to be infected most frequently, followed by goats and less frequently, cattle. Ticks can carry the disease, but ticks are considered to be of minor importance in transmission of Q fever among animals and people. extremely high numbers in the uterine fluids, Coxiella burnetii can be shed in feces, placenta, and aborted fetuses. Aborted fetuses urine, and milk of infected animals. However, lack any characteristic findings, but the the vaginal secretions and uterine fluids placenta may be visibly thickened in cases of released from infected ewes and does during Q fever abortion. birthing carry the highest number of Coxiella Diagnosis of Q fever abortion requires burnetii. Shedding of Coxiella burnetii in the testing of the fetuses and placentas from vaginal secretions can continue for days to aborted animals. Veterinary diagnosticians weeks after birthing. It is important to note typically identify the organism by the use that the dam, the offspring, and the birthing of special stains applied to microscopic membranes and fluids can appear perfectly sections of these tissues, and/or through healthy while the organism is being shed in the use of tests to detect the presence of the these materials. organism’s DNA. Occasionally, infection does result in Abortions caused by Q fever typically do visible signs of disease, usually in sheep and not recur in sheep, but goats may abort again goats. Infected ewes and does may abort or in subsequent pregnancies if infection recurs. give birth to weak offspring, and Q fever There is currently not a licensed vaccine to should be considered as a possible cause prevent Q fever in livestock in the United of outbreaks of abortion in flocks and goat States. Once Q fever is confirmed as a cause herds. When ewes or does abort because of of abortion in a herd or flock, treatment ©Colorado State University Q fever, the causative organism is present in of pregnant animals with tetracycline may Extension. 5/10. Revised 12/14. reduce the risk of further abortions, but is www.ext.colostate.edu *D. Van Metre, DVM, DACVIM, Colorado State University unlikely to eliminate the problem entirely. Extension specialist (Veterinarian) associate professor, Prevention of Q fever in animals is College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, difficult, since infected animals may show Clinical Sciences. 12/2014 no signs of infection with the organism. spontaneously or respond to treatment Isolation of any newly purchased animals with particular antibiotics. Fatalities are Once Q fever is confirmed as a cause from pregnant ewes or does is advised uncommon when complications are not of abortion in a herd or flock, treatment until all pregnant animals have birthed. present. of pregnant animals with tetracycline Isolate any animals that abort from the People who have impaired immune may reduce the risk of further remainder of the herd, and consult a systems – for example, those receiving abortions, but is unlikely to eliminate veterinarian to discuss diagnostic testing. chemotherapy for cancer, pregnant women, the problem entirely. Dispose of bedding and equipment recipients of organ transplants, and those contaminated with tissues and fluids from infected with the HIV virus – are more Most people become infected by an abortion in a sealed trash bag, buru, or likely to develop more serious disease with inhalation of Coxiella burnetti that burn. Individuals handling these materials potential complications. Further, people become aerosolized (airborne) when should take protective precautions (see with abnormal heart valves or coronary an infected animal gives birth or below). Clean contaminated equipment and vascular grafts are at particularly high experiences a spontaneous abortion. facility surfaces with soap and water and risk of developing endocarditis, which is disinfect with a phenolic disinfectant (e.g. infection of the interior lining of the heart Lysol®). More precautions for people are and heart valves. Endocarditis often does obstetrical assistance to these animals, described below. not arise until several months after the or when handling the bedding, birthing infection is established. fluids, or birthing membranes. Q fever can be treated with certain Q Fever in Humans Consult your physician or health care antibiotics. Consult your health care provider to determine if you are able to Infection in humans occurs most often provider if you have symptoms that might wear an “N95” mask to limit the chances in those individuals who come into contact indicate Q fever. Ill individuals who work that you might inhale the organism when with cattle, sheep, and goats on a regular with sheep and goats must communicate working with sheep or goats. These masks basis. Therefore, occupational exposure clearly with their health care provider about are available at most hardware stores. to Coxiella burnetii is a common source their previous exposure to these animals Particular care must be taken when of infection for humans; this occurs most and their facilities, bedding, or manure. handling aborted fetuses or birthing often in farmers, veterinarians, livestock This crucial step – communicating about membranes from sheep or goats that are workers, slaughter plant personnel, potential exposure – very important in known to be infected, as these materials and individuals who work with sheep, helping your health care provider to make a can contain large numbers of the organism. goats, and cattle in a research setting. diagnosis. These materials should be burned, buried, Occasionally, however, Q fever develops or disposed of as hazardous infectious in individuals with no known exposure to Prevention waste. Work clothes contaminated with livestock. Wind-borne transmission of the birthing fluids or manure from sheep and organism and contact with contaminated 1. Eat and drink only pasteurized milk goats should not be handled by people at soil or clothing are other potential routes and milk products from cattle, sheep, high risk for Q fever and its complications. for people to become infected. and goats. Most people become infected by 2. Limit exposure to sheep and goats inhalation of Coxiella burnetti that during birthing. People who are at high Resources become aerosolized (airborne) when an risk of serious complications from Q Rodolakis, A. Q Fever in Dairy Animals. infected animal gives birth or experiences fever include pregnant women, organ Ann NY Acad Sci 1166: 90–93, 2009. a spontaneous abortion. Ingestion of the transplant recipients, abnormal heart Cutler, S.J., Bouzid M., Cutler R.R. Q Fever. causative bacteria can occur if people ingest valves, individuals on medications that J Infect 54: 313-318, 2007. non-pasteurized milk or milk products suppress immunity, and individuals Hartzell, J.D., Wood-Morris R.N., Martinez derived from infected animals – remember, suffering from immune deficiency L.J., et al. Q Fever: Epidemiology, infected animals can appear normal. diseases. Such individuals should Diagnosis, and Treatment. Mayo Clinic Pasteurization eliminates the organism seriously consider avoiding contact with Proc 83: 574-579, 2008. from milk and milk products. Aging sheep and goats, particularly during McQuiston, J.H., Childs, J.E. Q Fever in non-pasteurized milk into cheese may not lambing or kidding time. Consult with Humans and Animals in the United inactivate all C. burnetti bacteria. your health care provider to determine States. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2: Many people infected with Q fever if you are at high risk for contracting 179–191, 2002. develop no symptoms of infection and Q fever. Kim, S.G., Kim, E.H., Lafferty, C.J., eliminate the infection with an effective 3. Protect yourself. Gloves, eye protection, Dubovi, E., Coxiella burnetii in Bulk immune response. If symptoms do develop, and a protective mask can be worn Tank Milk Samples, United States. most people experience flu-like illness when handling sheep or goats, their Emerg Infect Dis April, 2005. within one to three weeks after exposure manure, bedding, or soil from premises to the organism. Affected individuals may where these animals have been kept. Colorado State University, U.S. Department of have a fever, headache, tiredness, muscle Given that the organism can be shed Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. aches, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. by otherwise healthy sheep and goats CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned Pneumonia and rarely, liver infection are at birthing, wearing this protective gear is intended nor is criticism implied of products not potential complications. Most cases resolve may be warranted when administering mentioned.