Queensland Health - Communicable Diseases Branch, Queensland.
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory.
Aust N Z J Public Health. 2018 Oct;42(5):451-455. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12784. Epub 2018 Apr 12.
To determine the source of a Q fever outbreak in humans at an animal refuge and veterinary clinic in southeast Queensland from October to December 2016.
Case interviews and a retrospective cohort study of animal refuge and veterinary clinic staff using a self-administered questionnaire related to clinical history of Q fever, Q fever vaccination status and workplace activities during the exposure period.
Seven cases (six confirmed, one probable) were identified. Forty-three questionnaires were completed (92% response rate). Workplace activities associated with the greatest risk of illness were the disposal of deceased cats or dogs (RR, 14.0; 95%CI, 1.9-104.1) and participating in euthanasia of cats or dogs (RR, 4.6; 95%CI, 1.3-16.9). Five feline birthing events occurred at the animal refuge from 25 September to 19 October 2016, each with subsequent euthanasia of the queen cat and litter. All cases had likely exposure to a specific queen cat and her litter that were euthanised the same day as the birthing event.
A parturient cat was the most likely source of the outbreak. Implications for public health: Occupational groups and others with regular exposure to feline or canine parturient products should receive Q fever vaccine.
确定 2016 年 10 月至 12 月昆士兰州东南部一家动物避难所和兽医诊所发生的 Q 热人间疫情的源头。
对动物避难所和兽医诊所的工作人员进行病例访谈和回顾性队列研究，采用与 Q 热临床病史、Q 热疫苗接种状况和暴露期间工作场所活动相关的自我管理式调查问卷。
共发现 7 例病例（6 例确诊，1 例可能）。完成了 43 份问卷（应答率为 92%）。与患病风险最大的工作场所活动有关的是处理死亡的猫或狗（RR，14.0；95%CI，1.9-104.1）和参与猫或狗的安乐死（RR，4.6；95%CI，1.3-16.9）。2016 年 9 月 25 日至 10 月 19 日，动物避难所发生了 5 起猫分娩事件，每起事件都随后对母猫及其幼崽进行了安乐死。所有病例均可能接触过当天分娩时被安乐死的特定母猫及其幼崽。
分娩的母猫是此次疫情最可能的源头。对公共卫生的影响：经常接触猫或犬分娩产品的职业群体和其他人群应接种 Q 热疫苗。
