Q fever, Total

Q fever is a bacterial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii. It is a zoonotic disease primarily affecting livestock like sheep, goats, and cattle, but can spread to humans. Humans usually acquire it through inhaling contaminated aerosols, leading to flu-like symptoms or more severe conditions like pneumonia or hepatitis.

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Countries Affected
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Recent Cases (30d)
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Active Outbreaks
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Last Updated
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What is Q fever, Total?

Q fever was first identified in Queensland, Australia, in 1935 by E.H. Derrick, who initially termed it 'query fever' due to its unknown origin. The causative bacterium, *Coxiella burnetii*, was isolated by Herald R. Cox in 1937. It has since been recognized globally as an important public health concern.

Symptoms

  • Acute Q Fever: Fever, severe headache, muscle aches, fatigue, chills, cough (potentially pneumonia), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, liver inflammation (hepatitis).
  • Chronic Q Fever (less common): Can develop months to years later, often manifesting as endocarditis (heart valve infection), chronic hepatitis, or bone infections, particularly in those with pre-existing conditions.

Transmission

The primary route of transmission to humans is the inhalation of aerosolized bacteria, which are shed in high concentrations by infected animals, especially during birthing. These aerosols can come from contaminated dust, urine, feces, milk, and birth products. Less common routes include consumption of unpasteurized dairy and rarely, tick bites.

Contagious Period: Varies by disease

Prevention

  • Avoid contact with birth products and bodily fluids of potentially infected livestock.
  • Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with animals or in high-risk environments (e.g., abattoirs).
  • Pasteurize milk and dairy products.
  • Vaccine (Q-VAX) is available in some countries for at-risk occupational groups.

Active Outbreaks & Recent Cases

Real-time intelligence from global health monitoring and AI-powered surveillance

Data sources: BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies

No Active Outbreaks Detected

Our AI-powered surveillance hasn't detected significant Q fever, Total activity in the past 30 days.

Real-time monitoring continues 24/7 across BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ global health agencies

What This Means

Currently, Q fever, Total case counts are within baseline expectations globally. However, diseases can emerge rapidly, which is why continuous monitoring is critical.

Stay Prepared

Download the Virus Watcher app to get instant alerts if Q fever, Total activity increases in your region or travel destinations.

Prevention Remains Important

Even without active outbreaks, understanding Q fever, Total prevention helps protect you and your community:

  • Avoid contact with birth products and bodily fluids of potentially infected livestock.
  • Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with animals or in high-risk environments (e.g., abattoirs).
  • Pasteurize milk and dairy products.
  • Vaccine (Q-VAX) is available in some countries for at-risk occupational groups.
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Expert Resources & References

Trusted information from leading health organizations

CDC

Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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WHO

Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization

View WHO Resources →

Research

Latest peer-reviewed research and clinical studies

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Medically Reviewed Content

Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-03

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