How to Prevent Q Fever

Q fever is an infection caused by the Coxiella burnetii rickettsia, which is carried by many animals, including birds, cats, dogs, domesticated herd animals and ticks. Q fever is an occupational hazard for people who work with animals, because it is usually contracted by inhaling droplets from contaminated birth products, feces and urine. Unpasteurized milk also may carry Coxiella burnetii in rare cases. The following steps will show how to prevent a case of Q fever.

Instructions

• 1

  Receive a commercial vaccine called Q-Vax for Q fever if you are in Australia. Consult with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases to receive an investigational vaccine in the United States.

• 2

  Treat Q fever early to keep it from becoming chronic. Initiate a five-day prophylactic therapy of doxycycline or tetracycline during the first 8 to 12 days of exposure.

• 3

  Dispose of potentially infectious animal products thoroughly and disinfect contaminated areas with soap and water. Decontamination also may be accomplished with a half hour exposure to solutions of 70 percent ethanol, 5 percent hydrogen peroxide or 5 percent quaternary ammonium.

• 4

  Wash your hands thoroughly after disposing of animal products. This is especially important for people at risk for Q fever such as farmers and veterinarians.

• 5

  Use appropriate precautions around farm animals, especially pregnant ones. Pasteurize milk as a possible preventative for Q fever and avoid unpasteurized milk or milk products. Ensure that sheep used for research purposes are seronegative.