Open AccessManagement of C oxiella burnetii infection in livestock populations and the associated zoonotic risk: A consensus statement
Author(s) -
Plummer Paul J.,
McClure J.Trenton,
Menzies Paula,
Morley Paul S.,
Van den Brom René,
Van Metre David C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/jvim.15229
Subject(s) - biosecurity , coxiella burnetii , q fever , medicine , outbreak , subclinical infection , transmission (telecommunications) , environmental health , livestock , public health , infectious disease (medical specialty) , veterinary medicine , zoonosis , veterinary public health , intensive care medicine , disease , virology , biology , pathology , ecology , electrical engineering , engineering
Infections caused by Coxiella burnetii, commonly referred to as coxiellosis when occurring in animals and Query fever when occurring in humans, are an important cause of abortions, decreased reproductive efficiency, and subclinical infections in ruminants. The organism also represents an important zoonotic concern associated with its ability to aerosolize easily and its low infectious dose. Available diagnostic tests have limited sensitivity, which combined with the absence of treatment options in animals and limited approaches to prevention, result in difficulty managing this agent for optimal animal health and zoonotic disease outcomes. The purpose of this consensus statement is to provide veterinarians and public health officials with a summary of the available information regarding management of C. burnetii infection in livestock populations. A discussion of currently available testing options and their interpretation is provided, along with recommendations on management practices that can be implemented on‐farm in the face of an outbreak to mitigate losses. Emphasis is placed on biosecurity measures that can be considered for minimizing the zoonotic transmission risk in both field and veterinary facilities.