Abstract
Ruminants are considered the main reservoir for transmission of Coxiella burnetii (Cb) to humans. The implementation of effective control measures against Cb in ruminants requires knowledge about potential risk factors. The objectives of this study were (i) to describe the spatial distribution of Q fever-infected dairy cattle herds in Sweden, (ii) to quantify the respective contributions of wind and animal movements on the risk of infection, while accounting for other sources of variation, and (iii) to investigate the possible protective effect of precipitation. A total of 1537 bulk milk samples were collected and tested for presence of Cb antibodies. The prevalence of test-positive herds was higher in the south of Sweden. For herds located in areas with high wind speed, open landscape, high animal densities and high temperature, the risk of being infected reached very high values. Because these factors are difficult to control, vaccination could be an appropriate control measure in these areas. Finally, the cumulated precipitation over 1 year was identified as a protective factor.
Highlights
ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were (i) to describe the spatial distribution of Q fever-infected dairy cattle herds in Sweden, (ii) to quantify the respective contributions of wind and animal movements on the risk of infection, while accounting for other sources of variation, and (iii) to investigate the possible protective effect of precipitation
A systematic random sample was drawn from bulk tank milk (BTM) samples originally submitted for bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) surveillance, in a scheme that covers > 95% of all Swedish dairy cattle herds
The southern region is windier, has more rain, has more open land and higher animal densities and is warmer compared to the northern region
Summary
The objectives of this study were (i) to describe the spatial distribution of Q fever-infected dairy cattle herds in Sweden, (ii) to quantify the respective contributions of wind and animal movements on the risk of infection, while accounting for other sources of variation, and (iii) to investigate the possible protective effect of precipitation. The objectives of this study were (i) to describe the spatial distribution of Cb-infected dairy cattle herds in Sweden, (ii) to quantify the respective contributions of wind and animal movements on the risk of a herd to become infected, while accounting for other sources of variation, and (iii) to investigate the possible protective effect of precipitation on the risk of infection
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