Q Fever in the Canary Islands

Abstract

Coxiella (C.) burnetii is the ethiologic agent of the Q fever. It's a zoonosis distributed worldwide, being domestic ruminants the main source of infection. It manifests itself mainly by abortions and other bovine's fertility issues. In human beings, Q fever may cause death. Dead animals by coxiella are of obliged declaration and it's contained within the old A List of Animal Health World Organization and it's also included on the BOE. In the 80s decade, cases are reported at the Spanish country, in regions such as Madrid, Barcelona and Basque Country, extending to other regions through the years. Nowadays Spain is considered an endemic area of Q fever, although it's generally located on northern area we can find cases in the south too, for example at the Canary Islands. Main source of human infection may be found on placenta coming from big ruminants, but also vaginal mucus, feces and milk. Many studies about this matter have taken place in Spain. One of them explains how in certain groups of sheep with previous history of abortions and C. burnetti positive, abortions may be reduced by oxitetracicline administration. Another one, published in France, compared two vaccines against C. burnetti on phases I and II, showing effectivity of the phase I vaccine on abortion's prevention and reducing excretion of milk, feces, placenta and vaginal mucus ungroups of goats. On the other hand, on cows with previous natural infection, the phase I vaccine reduced gradually the infection and bacterial excretion, achieving horizontal transmission two years after vaccination. Other authors also tested the phase I vaccine with uninfected animals and discovered that vac-cinated individuals may reduce five times the chance of excreting bacterial. The EU for-mulated the law 2003/99 about zoonosis spreading control, where every member Country must notify any data, they receive about the decease. In Spain, Royal decree 1940/2004 includes the European law named before and establish it is obligations. Q fever was also included on the Rising deceases list of the Delegated Regulation in 2018 and it is a part of the law of control of prevention of the EU. Before that, in 2015, Spain had already included it on 8/2003 Animal Health Law. Today, Basque Country is the only Spanish region that holds an adapted plan for control, achieving the objectives exposed by the state and the EU. Canary Islands is an isolated community, which may help controlling the decease with a good control and watch plan, adapting It to the peculiarities of the region.