Control measures of Q fever in small ruminants

Abstract

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever in humans and animals, affects particularly ruminant species, being considered as the main reservoirs of the bacterium. Among them, goats and sheep have been implied in many human Q fever outbreaks worldwide and, for that, sanitary and control measures must be implemented when the disease is detected in small ruminant herds. There is not a general consensus about the exact control measures to carry out in these cases. Some measures exercised in several outbreaks have been the isolation of the herd and mass vaccination with a phase 1 C. burnetii whole cell inactivated vaccine, which have resulted in prevention of new abortions and reduction of bacterial shedding, particularly when vaccination is administered regularly during several years. However, some disadvantages have been reported, for example, that effectiveness is limited in infected or pregnant animals. In this latter case, the use of oxitetracicline until lambing has been successful. The present chapter supposes a review of the current knowledge about control measures to be implemented in small ruminant herds, their advantages and limitations, in order to minimize the risk of C. burnetii infection in humans and animals.