The Epidemiology of Q Fever in England and Wales 2000-2015.

Kate Halsby,Dilys Morgan,Amanda Walsh,Hilary Kirkbride,Matthew Donati,Ebere Okereke,Timothy Brooks

doi:10.3390/vetsci4020028

Abstract

Between 2000 and 2015, 904 cases of acute Q fever were reported in England and Wales. The case dataset had a male to female ratio of 2.5:1, and a median age of 45 years. Two outbreaks were recognised during this time period, and the incidence of sporadic cases was highest across the southwest of England, and Wales. There are limitations in the surveillance system for Q fever, including possible geographical differences in reporting and limited epidemiological data collection. The surveillance system needs to be strengthened in order to improve the quality and completeness of the epidemiological dataset. The authors conclude with recommendations on how to achieve this.

Highlights

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with the bacteria Coxiella burnetii
Databases of routine laboratory reports supplemented with data from the two Q fever reference laboratories (the Regional Public Health England (PHE) Laboratory in Bristol and the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) at PHE Porton)
A total of 904 cases of acute Q fever were reported in England and Wales between 2000 and 2015 (Figure 1, Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Its primary animal reservoirs are cattle, sheep, and goats, and it is shed in the urine, faeces, milk, and birth products of infected ruminants [1]. Humans are usually infected through inhalation of dust or aerosols containing the organism, which may be produced during birth or at slaughter [1]. Human cases have been associated with drinking unpasteurised milk, tick bites, and contact with parturient cats [1]. The majority of acute cases of Q fever in humans are asymptomatic, the infection may present as influenza-like illness or pneumonia [2]. Case numbers show seasonal variation with most cases occurring in the spring and summer [3,4], and the pattern is thought to be linked to lambing, environmental contamination, and the movement of livestock [5,6]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion