Q Fever

Q fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. It is a zoonotic disease, which means it passes from infected animals to humans. The primary carriers of the bacteria include: domestic cats, cattle, goats and sheep. Infected animals shed the bacteria through milk, urine, and droppings (feces). People can become sick with Q fever by breathing in the bacteria, usually through contaminated barnyard dust and soil. Drinking or eating unpasteurized (raw) milk and dairy products is another source of infection. Q fever can be treated with antibiotics, and most people recover fully.



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IAMAT Blog

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