title: An outbreak of Q fever affecting postal workers in Oxfordshire.
abstract: Twenty-five people in Oxfordshire were found to have had clinical illness due to Q fever in the 3 months from April to June 1983. Twelve cases were diagnosed through the routine laboratory diagnostic service. Five of these were postmen, four of whom worked in a sorting office where an outbreak of illness similar to influenza had been noted by the Occupational Health Nurse. Thirteen cases were diagnosed by active case-finding in this sorting office but investigation failed to define the source of the outbreak. Nine of the 18 postal workers were found to have antibodies to phase I Coxiella burnetii antigen. The significance of these antibodies is discussed. Surveillance for over 2 years has not revealed anyone with symptoms or signs suggestive of chronic Q fever. An outbreak of Q fever among postal workers has not previously been described. We recommend continued surveillance for this enigmatic condition.
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003381:Coxiella / Q000276:immunology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011177:Postal Service; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial