The presence of Q-fever in ruminants and small ruminants on the islands of Malta and Gozo

Abstract

Q-fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium C. burnetii. Many species of wild and domestic animals including humans could be infected. The infection can be found on domestic ruminant species in most, if not all EU countries, yet disease is quite rare and normally the impact is insignificant. Q-fever in the EU has minimal impacts on public health, however there are some conditions making people more at risk. The most susceptible persons for infection are those that handle or are at close proximity to small ruminants especially during parturition or during abortions. A case study was carried out in order to evaluate the situation in Malta. The study included almost all domestic ruminant species on the island and these animals were tested using serological methods. The results confirmed the presence of C. burnetti and the numbers of infected animals were relatively high. The study also found a high percentage of ruminant farms to be serologically positive to C. burnetii. These farms are distributed all over the islands of Malta and Gozo therefore making shedding of the bacterium more easily. Some measures were enforced to improve bio security levels on farms. As it is rather very difficult if not practically impossible for an eradication programme, the control of the causative organism would have decreased the chances for disease.