What is Q fever and what causes it?
Q fever is an infectious disease that spreads from animals to humans. Q fever is caused by a microbe called “Coxiella burnetii.” This microbe can survive for months and even years in dust or soil. Animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats can carry the Q fever microbe in tissues involved in birth–the uterus, placenta, and birth fluids. Infected animals also release the microbe in milk and manure. People acquire the infection by inhaling infectious aerosols and contaminated dusts generated by animals or animal products. Many infections are asymptomatic. Common symptoms resemble a serious case of the flu with high fever, chills and sweating. In some case’s people develop liver and heart disease. How is Q fever transmitted? People usually contract Q fever when they breathe in the Q fever microbe. It is very infectious. As few as ten Q fever microbes can start an infection. People can also get Q fever by drinking infected milk, but most infections are spread through the air. Person to pers
