Investigation of a Q Fever Outbreak in a Scottish Co‐Located Slaughterhouse and Cutting Plant

Wilson, Louise E.; Couper, Sarah; Prempeh, H.; Young, David; Pollock, Kevin; Stewart, W. C.; Browning, L.; Donaghy, Martin

doi:10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01251.x

Cited by 32 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…; Wilson et al . ). The resistance of C. burnetii to physical stresses promotes its transmission through aerosols, and there are suggestions of outbreaks of Q fever arising from C. burnetii sources many years after their release from an infected host (Van Woerden et al .…”

Section: Epidemiological Data On Routes Of Transmission Of Coxiella Bmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In this respect, aerosolisation and inhalation appear to be important (Maurin and Raoult 1999). Indeed, outbreaks associated with windborne transmission from farms and slaughter houses and within meat-processing plants are well documented (Brouqui et al 2004;Tissot-Dupont et al 2004;Wilson et al 2010). The resistance of C. burnetii to physical stresses promotes its transmission through aerosols, and there are suggestions of outbreaks of Q fever arising from C. burnetii sources many years after their release from an infected host (Van Woerden et al 2004).…”

Section: Aerosols and Direct Contact With Livestockmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Q fever through consumption of unpasteurised milk and milk products - a risk profile and exposure assessment

et al. 2015

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Summary Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii which is endemic in cattle, sheep and goats in much of the world, including the United Kingdom (UK). There is some epidemiological evidence that a small proportion of cases in the developed world may arise from consumption of unpasteurised milk with less evidence for milk products such as cheese. Long maturation at low pH may give some inactivation in hard cheese, and viable C. burnetii are rarely detected in unpasteurised cheese compared to unpasteurised milk. Simulations presented here predict that the probability of exposure per person to one or more C. burnetii through the daily cumulative consumption of raw milk in the UK is 0·4203. For those positive exposures, the average level of exposure predicted is high at 1266 guinea pig intraperitoneal infectious dose 50% units (GP_IP_ID50) per person per day. However, in the absence of human dose–response data, the case is made that the GP_IP_ID50 unit represents a very low risk through the oral route. The available evidence suggests that the risks from C. burnetii through consumption of unpasteurised milk and milk products (including cheese) are not negligible but they are lower in comparison to transmission via inhalation of aerosols from parturient products and livestock contact.

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Section: Epidemiological Data On Routes Of Transmission Of Coxiella Bmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Aerosols and Direct Contact With Livestockmentioning

confidence: 99%

Q fever through consumption of unpasteurised milk and milk products - a risk profile and exposure assessment

et al. 2015

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“…Macellaro et al [9] reported that Q fever seroprevalence in healthy persons was 5 to 17%, but in the case of sheep farmers, it was as high as 24 to 30%, and Monno et al [10] reported a rate of 13.6% for a control group, whereas 84% of animal breeding workers showed a Q fever seropositive reaction. In addition, Whitney et al [11] reported a seroprevalence of 22.2% among veterinarians, and according to Wilson et al [12], slaughterhouse workers showed a very high rate of seropositivity, at 41.9%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroreactivity to Q Fever Among Slaughterhouse Workers in South Korea

Chu

Yoo

Hwang

et al. 2017

J Prev Med Public Health

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ObjectivesQ fever is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide; however, little is known about its prevalence in South Korea. We attempted to determine the prevalence of Q fever seroreactivity among Korean slaughterhouse workers and the risk factors for seroreactivity according to the type of work.MethodsThe study was conducted among 1503 workers at a total of 73 slaughterhouses and 62 residual-product disposal plants. During the study period, sites were visited and surveys were administered to employees involved in slaughterhouse work, and serological tests were performed on blood samples by indirect immunofluorescence assays. Serological samples were grouped by job classification into those of slaughter workers, residual-product handlers, inspectors and inspection assistants, and grading testers and testing assistants. Employee risk factors were analyzed according to the type of work.ResultsOut of 1481 study subjects who provided a blood sample, 151 (10.2%) showed reactive antibodies. When these results were analyzed in accordance with the type of work, the result of slaughter workers (11.3%) was similar to the result of residual-product handlers (11.4%), and the result of inspectors and assistants (5.3%) was similar to the result of grading testers and assistants (5.4%). Among those who answered in the affirmative to the survey question, “Has there been frequent contact between cattle blood and your mouth while working?” the proportions were 13.4 and 4.6%, respectively, and this was identified as a risk factor that significantly varied between job categories among slaughterhouse workers.ConclusionsThis study found a Q fever seroreactivity rate of 10.2% for slaughterhouse workers, who are known to be a high-risk population. Contact with cattle blood around the mouth while working was the differential risk factor between job categories among slaughterhouse workers.

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“…Typically human cases are reported either as single sporadic cases or discrete cluster of cases from a specific source with no obvious association to an increased general disease risk (Wilson et al, 2009, Orr et al, 2006, or as part of clusters of infections associated with a known community-based outbreak. Typically human cases are reported either as single sporadic cases or discrete cluster of cases from a specific source with no obvious association to an increased general disease risk (Wilson et al, 2009, Orr et al, 2006, or as part of clusters of infections associated with a known community-based outbreak.…”

Section: Interpretation/evaluation Of the Surveillance Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Opinion on Q fever

More¹,

Stegeman²,

Rodolakis³

et al. 2010

EFSA Journal

129

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Following a request from the European Commission, a scientific opinion was prepared by EFSA's Animal Health and Welfare Panel to determine the magnitude, distribution, impact and significance of infection and disease in domestic ruminants and humans, risk factors for the maintenance (in domestic ruminant populations) and spillover (from these populations to humans) of Coxiella burnetii (the causative agent of Q fever), and control options in domestic ruminant populations. A range of approaches were used, including an assessment of monitoring/surveillance data, the development of a simple conceptual model, a critical review of available literature, and several country case studies. Control options for C. burnetii infection in small ruminants were qualitatively assessed. Infection is endemic in domestic ruminants in most, if not all, EU member states, however, disease is rare and impact is limited. In the EU, Q fever is a zoonotic disease with limited public health impact, except under certain epidemiological circumstances and for particular risk groups. Human cases are often associated with proximity to small ruminants (particularly at parturition or during abortions) and dry, windy weather. Currently, there is no clear evidence of an association between bacterial genotypes/isolates and virulence. A number of longer-term options to control C. burnetii infection in domestic ruminants were identified; these should be considered in those situations where the public health risk is considered unacceptable. Some additional options were not considered sustainable for long-term control, but may have a role in the face of an outbreak. Persistent environmental contamination may confound animal-based control efforts. Vaccination should be considered a longterm control option, noting that effectiveness may not be observed in the short-term. Antibiotic treatment of animals is not recommended. There is no conclusive evidence that the consumption of milk and milk products containing C. burnetii has resulted in clinical Q fever in humans. (ECDC) and the EFSA staff members Ana Afonso, Milen Georgiev and Jane Richardson for the support provided to this EFSA scientific output. Thank you also for the valuable information made available by the Zoonoses task force, the EFSA Animal Health and Welfare network, Prof. S. Martinov and I. Yordanov.This opinion was the result of a fruitful collaboration with ECDC in relation to public health aspects. The BIOHAZ Panel wishes to thank the EFSA staff member Bart Goossens for the support provided to Chapter 4 of this EFSA scientific output. Q fever 2 EFSA Journal 2010; 8 (5):1595 SUMMARYThe recent developments in the EU, especially the increase in confirmed human cases of Q fever in the Netherlands, call for special consideration as regards the risks posed by Q fever for humans and animals. The European Commission requested further scientific advice and risk assessment, as regards Q fever in animals. The mandate posed three questions:to assess the significance of the occurrence of Q fever in the ...

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Investigation of a Q Fever Outbreak in a Scottish Co‐Located Slaughterhouse and Cutting Plant

Cited by 32 publications

References 19 publications

Q fever through consumption of unpasteurised milk and milk products - a risk profile and exposure assessment

Q fever through consumption of unpasteurised milk and milk products - a risk profile and exposure assessment

Seroreactivity to Q Fever Among Slaughterhouse Workers in South Korea

Scientific Opinion on Q fever

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