Epidemiology and significance of Q fever in Czechoslovakia.

Over the last 35 years most parts of Czechoslovakia have experienced Q fever. Of particular note were outbreaks in factories processing imported cotton, wool and hides that had been contaminated in their countries of origin. Some areas of the southern part of Central Slovakia became a natural focus of Q fever with the Dermacentor marginatus tick being the main vector of coxiellae. Currently, Coxiella (C.) burnetii infection appears to be dormant in the country since only sporadic cases are encountered. Cattle vaccination practiced since 1980 may have contributed to the decreasing incidence of human Q fever.