Investigations into clusters of human Q fever cases in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
An outbreak of Q fever occurred in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in May 2014. Cases of pneumonia reported to the Southern Interregional Epidemiology Unit by the Valréas Hospital Center in young patients prompted an investigation. Based on a suspected common source—namely, confirmed human cases’ visits to several small ruminant farms—the Drôme Departmental Directorate for Public Health and Prevention (DDecPP) launched an investigation. One farm in particular, where lambing had taken place on the day of the visit, caught the inspectors’ attention. This same farm had reported abortions in late April and early May. Vaginal swabs and blood samples tested positive, confirming the farm’s infected and excretory status for Coxiella burnetii. Environmental analyses supported this finding. The recommended measures aimed to reduce the excretion of C. burnetii into the environment as well as its spread within and around the farm. The farm’s veterinary health officer, the DDecPP, and the Drôme Animal Health Protection Group implemented the management measures available based on current knowledge, namely sanitary measures (effluent treatment) and medical measures (vaccination of replacement females).
Author(s): Rosieres X, Rautureau S, Rousset E, Klotz S, Boulogne O, Deltour B
Publishing year: 2015
Pages: 8-10
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