Q fever cluster among raw milk drinkers in Michigan, 2011

Kimberly A Signs1, Mary Grace Stobierski, Tejal N Gandhi

  • 1Bureau of Disease Control Prevention and Epidemiology, Michigan Department of Community Health, Lansing, MI, USA.

Insights

Consumers of raw milk in Michigan were found to be infected with Coxiella burnetii, the bacterium causing Q fever. This study highlights a potential risk associated with unpasteurized milk consumption and zoonotic disease transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii.
  • Coxiella burnetii is globally distributed but rarely linked to human illness.
  • Raw milk consumption is a potential route for zoonotic disease transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection in individuals consuming raw milk.
  • To identify a potential source of infection within a specific geographic area.

Main Methods:

  • Serological testing for Coxiella burnetii antibodies.
  • Epidemiological investigation of raw milk consumers.

Main Results:

  • Evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection was detected in a small group of regular raw milk consumers.
  • All infected individuals regularly consumed unpasteurized milk from the same Michigan dairy.

Conclusions:

  • Regular consumption of raw milk from a single dairy was associated with Coxiella burnetii infection.
  • This finding suggests raw milk as a potential vehicle for Q fever transmission.

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