Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infections among North Dakota sheep producers.
A case of Q fever in a sheep producer was detected by a surveillance system in North Dakota in 1993, when Q fever was not reportable. This is the first officially documented case in the state. To estimate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection and identify associated risk factors, we conducted a study covering the whole state. A total of 17 cases were identified among 496 sheep producers, their family members, and hired helpers. The number of sheep raised was a good predictor of C. burnetii infection. Lambing outdoors and frequent physical contacts with sheep during lambing were associated with a higher risk, but petting dogs was correlated with a lower risk. We conclude that C. burnetii infection is prevalent among sheep producers in North Dakota. As the result, Q fever became a reportable disease in North Dakota.
Guo
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Division of Surveillance, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Gilmore
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R
Waag
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DM
Shireley
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L
Freund
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E
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009658:North Dakota / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012756:Sheep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires