Cent Eur J Public Health 2012, 20(3):208-214 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3754

Influence of the Environment and Occupational Exposure on the Occurrence of Q Fever

Erik Dorko¹, Kvetoslava Rimárová¹, Emil Pilipčinec²

¹ Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of P. J. Šafárik, Košice, Slovak Republic

² Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Košice, Slovak Republic

Q fever, which is caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease and ruminants are the main reservoir for human infec-tions. Humans become infected primarily by inhaling aerosols that are contaminated with C. burnetii. Ingestion (particularly drinking raw milk) and person-to-person transmission are minor routes. Animals shed the bacterium in urine and faeces, and in very high concentrations in birth by-products. The bacterium persists in the environment in a resistant spore-like form which may become airborne and transported long distances by the wind. Q fever is considered primarily an occupational disease of workers in close contact with farm animals or processing their products, however, it may occur also in persons without direct contact. To prevent the introduction and spread of Q fever infection, preventive measures should be implemented including immunisation with currently available vaccines of domestic animals and humans at risk.

Keywords: Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, environmental contamination, occupational exposure, preventive measures

Received: December 10, 2012; Revised: July 9, 2012; Accepted: July 9, 2012; Published: September 1, 2012  Show citation