Montenegro: 14 human Q fever cases reported in September
The Institute of Public Health of Montenegro in southeastern Europe is reporting more than a dozen human cases of Q fever in September to date.
Through September 20, 16 cases of Q fever were registered in the country . Two cases were registered in June and according to the available data, they are not related to the latest developments in the veterinary sector (registration of a large number of sick cattle on farms in Nikšić and Danilovgrad).
Of the 14 cases registered in September, most were reported in the municipality of Nikšić (11), Danilovgrad (2) and Podgorica (1). Among the sick registered in September, 13 cases were among people who were professionally exposed to sick animals (farmers, veterinarians and veterinary technicians), while in one person the method of exposure has not been determined so far.
Persons with symptoms were referred to selected doctors, as well as, if necessary, specialist doctors for treatment and further monitoring. There are currently no hospitalized patients.
The Institute for Public Health of Montenegro and the competent hygiene-epidemiological services of health centers are conducting increased surveillance of this disease, and given the number of infected animals, in the coming period we can expect the discovery of new cases of Q fever among people. This is especially expected among people from risky professions such as farmers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians who, due to the nature of their work, are at a higher risk of infection due to increased exposure.
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The institute sent letters to health centers that doctors, when treating patients, should pay special attention to occupationally exposed persons for the purpose of early identification of diseases, timely treatment and undertaking of prevention and suppression measures. Epidemiological research of persons exposed to infection is carried out after the disease is reported by a doctor or after veterinarians report to epidemiologists that they discovered diseased animals on a certain farm. The Center for Medical Microbiology of the IJZCG has diagnostic tests (analysis of specific blood antibodies against Coxiella burnetii ), and adequate antibiotic therapy (doxycycline) is also available.
It is very important that people who have animal farms (cattle, sheep, goats) follow the advice of the veterinary and health sector in order to reduce the likelihood of infection. We emphasize that the most common route of transmission is aerogenic - through contaminated air particles containing Coxiella burnetii and , as well as direct contact with contaminated milk, meat, wool and aerosols originating from animal excreta (urine, feces or fluids during childbirth). Also, reservoirs of Coxiella burnetii , in addition to domestic animals, can also be game, birds, and ticks. It is not a rare situation that the source and place of potential exposure remain undetected.
Direct transmission from an infected person to a healthy person is a very rare phenomenon (under normal circumstances, it practically does not exist). As for the risk of transmission through milk, it is practically non-existent if pasteurized or boiled milk is used. Pasteurized milk should be used for the preparation of dairy products.