Investigation of a Q fever outbreak in a Scottish co-located slaughterhouse and cutting plant.
Outbreaks of Q fever are rare in the UK. In 2006, the largest outbreak of Q fever in Scotland occurred at a co-located slaughterhouse and cutting plant with 110 cases. Preliminary investigations pointed to the sheep lairage being the potential source of exposure to the infective agent. A retrospective cohort study was carried out among workers along with environmental sampling to guide public health interventions. A total of 179 individuals were interviewed of whom 66 (37%) were migrant workers. Seventy-five (41.9%) were serologically confirmed cases. Passing through a walkway situated next to the sheep lairage, a nearby stores area, and being male were independently associated with being serologically positive for Q fever. The large proportion of migrant workers infected presented a significant logistical problem during outbreak investigation and follow up. The topic of vaccination against Q fever for slaughterhouse workers is contentious out with Australasia, but this outbreak highlights important occupational health issues.
Wilson
L E
LE
Health Protection Scotland, Clifton House, Clifton Place, Glasgow, Scotland. louise.wilson2@nhs.net
Couper
S
S
Prempeh
H
H
Young
D
D
Pollock
K G J
KG
Stewart
W C
WC
Browning
L M
LM
Donaghy
M
M
D000003:Abattoirs; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003625:Data Collection; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011778:Q Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D055815:Young Adult
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial