Q fever is a disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii which is found worldwide. The bacteria naturally infects some animals, such as goats, sheep and cattle. C. burnetii bacteria are found in animal birth products (i.e. placenta, amniotic fluid), urine, feces, and milk of infected animals. People can get infected by breathing in dust that has been contaminated by infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products. Some infected people never get sick; however those that do, usually develop flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle pain. Or worse…

A recent alert by ProMed on a Q-fever outbreak in South Australia was the start of this episode of Transmissible Briefs. If you want to refresh your knowledge about the disease, the pathogen, the epidemiology, reservoir and transmission routes, about the prevention & control measures, then this 35 minute podcast may be useful for you.