Navigating Q fever: Current perspectives and challenges in outbreak preparedness

Abstract

Q fever, also known as query fever, is a zoonotic illness brought on by the Coxiella burnetii bacteria. This disease was first discovered in 1935 in Queensland, Australia. Worldwide, Q fever is a disease that requires notification, and certain nations classify it as a national health concern. A feature of C. burnetii is known as cell wall phase fluctuation. Serological testing is the main method used to diagnose Q fever illnesses. Inhalation is the primary method of C. burnetii transmission in both people and animals, with smaller amounts occurring through milk and milk product ingestion. The bacterial strain that is causing the infection determines how severe it is. Q fever is a significant zoonosis that can be dangerous for personnel working in veterinary laboratories, livestock breeding operations, and slaughterhouses due to its high human contagiousness. C. burnetii is a biological weapon that can be sprayed on food, water, or even mail. It can also be employed as an aerosol. Antibiotics work well against this disease's acute form, but as the infection develops into a chronic form, treatment becomes more difficult and the illness frequently returns, which can result in a high death rate. Vaccination has been demonstrated to lower the incidence of animal infections, C. burnetii shedding, and abortion. Several hygienic precautions should be put in place during an outbreak to lessen the spread of disease to animals. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(10.000): 2509-2524]

Keywords

• aerosol
• c. burnetii
• public health
• q fever
• zoonosis