Q fever--California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, 2000-2001.
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. The most common reservoirs are domesticated ruminants, primarily cattle, sheep, and goats. Humans acquire Q fever typically by inhaling aerosols or contaminated dusts derived from infected animals or animal products. Its highly infectious nature and aerosol route of transmission make C. burnetii a possible agent of bioterrorism. Although up to 60% of initial infections are asymptomatic, acute disease can manifest as a relatively mild, self-limited febrile illness, or more moderately severe disease characterized by hepatitis or pneumonia. It manifests less commonly as myocarditis, pericarditis, and meningoencephalitis. Chronic Q fever occurs in <1% of infected patients, months or years after initial infection. Chronic disease manifests most commonly as a culture-negative endocarditis in patients with valvular heart disease. During 2000-2001, a total of 48 patients who met the case definition of Q fever were reported to CDC. This report describes the case investigations for six of these patients, which indicate that these persons acquired Q fever probably through direct or indirect contact with livestock. To enhance surveillance efforts, health-care providers should report cases of Q fever to state health departments.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011778:Q Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology