Patient discussions
Outbreaks have tended to occur in occupational exposure and have involved veterinarians, meat-processing plant workers, sheep and dairy workers, livestock farmers, and researchers at facilities housing sheep. Therefore, prevention and control efforts should be directed primarily toward these groups and environments. However, the general public should be educated on sources of infection.[111] This is particularly important for those at high risk of persistent focalized infection (e.g., pregnant women and patients with preexisting valvulopathy or vasculopathy, or immunocompromised status as a result of HIV infection or cancer chemotherapy).
The C burnetii bacterium is found in maternal breast milk; therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended in patients with C burnetii infection. To confirm if breast-feeding should be stopped, a polymerase chain reaction for C burnetii could be performed on the maternal breast milk.
CDC: Q fever Opens in new window Australian Q fever register Opens in new window
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