Q Fever
23/12/2009
Be informed
What? Q fever is a disease caused by infection with a bacterium (Coxiella burnetii) that affects humans and other animals. This organism is uncommon but may be found in sheep and goats. At the moment this disease holds the Netherlands spellbound. Belgium is observant.
Q fever is a rather rare disease. In the Netherlands about 1500 people have been infected. There probably will be less contamination in Belgium because there are less sheep and goat farms.
Contamination
The animals secrete the bacteria through bodily fluids (tear-water, urine, mucus, saliva, milk and amniotic fluids). The bacteria especially cluster in the uterus. During delivery big quantities of bacteria are given off.
For humans the infection results from inhalation of contaminated particles in the air, coming from stables and pastures.
Contact your prevention counsellor/industrial medical officer for any further information. You can also download the information card in Dutch or French.
