Q Fever

Statistics and Epidemiology

Annual Cases of Q Fever in the United States

Q fever was first recognized as a human disease in Australia in 1935 and in the United States in the early 1940’s. The "Q" stands for "query" and was applied at a time when the causative agent was unknown. Human Q fever is now known to be the result of infection with the obligate, intracellular, bacterium, Coxiella burnetii. Cattle, sheep, and goats are commonly infected and may transmit infection to humans when they give birth. Coxiella burnetii can survive for long periods of time in the environment, and may be spread by wind and dust. The disease is global in distribution, with cases reported sporadically or occasionally as outbreaks. However, because Q fever may resemble other diseases, be mild, or even cause no symptoms in some people, cases of human Q fever are likely underrecognized in the United States and elsewhere. Around 3% of the healthy U.S. population and 10-20% of persons in high-risk occupations (veterinarians, farmers, etc.) have antibodies to C. burnetii, suggesting past exposure.

Q fever was made a notifiable disease condition in the United States in 1999 in order to better understand the epidemiology and magnitude of the disease. CDC compiles the numbers of cases reported by state health departments. The numbers of cases of Q fever that have been reported to CDC have increased since the disease became reportable, from 17 cases with onset in 2000, to 167 cases with onset in 2007. The incidence (the number of cases for every million persons) of Q fever increased similarly, from less than 0.1 case per million persons in 2000 to 0.6 cases per million persons in 2007. The surveillance case definition for Q fever was modified in 2008 to revise laboratory criteria for diagnosis and to allow for the separate reporting of acute and chronic Q fever. One hundred thirty-two cases of Q fever were reported with onset in 2008; of these, 117 were acute Q fever and 15 were chronic Q fever.

Figure 1 - Number of U.S. Q Fever cases* reported to CDC, 1998-2008.

*Numbers presented here may differ from numbers presented in the MMWR Annual Summary of Notifiable Diseases. Data presented here are based on year of illness onset rather than reporting year.

Image: Number of Annual Q Fever Cases, 1998 - 2008

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Hospitalization Rates

Illness among patients with recognized and reported Q fever may be severe with complications requiring hospitalization that may include endocarditis, encephalitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and splenomegaly. Rates of hospitalization among Q fever cases for which information was available averaged over 50% during 2002 to 2008. However, it is likely that mild Q fever infections which do not require hospitalization may be more likely to be under-recognized and therefore under-represented in current national surveillance systems.

Figure 2 – Hospitalization rates*, U.S. Q Fever cases reported to CDC, 2000-2008.

Image of Q Fever Hospitalization Rate, 2000 - 2008.

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Geography

Cases of Q fever are most frequently reported from western and plains states where ranching and rearing of cattle are common. In other states, areas where sheep, goat, and cattle ranching are locally practiced may demonstrate increased incidence. Seven states (California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas) have accounted for more than half (52%) of all cases since human Q fever became notifiable. Cases of Q fever are reported less frequently in the eastern United States. Sporadic reports of cases may result from patients involved in animal research work and from patient travel to other states.

Figure 3 – Annual reported incidence (per million population) for Q Fever in the United States for 2008.

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Seasonality

Although cases of Q fever can occur during any month of the year, most cases report onset of illness during the spring and early summer months, peaking in April and May. These increases coincide with increases in human outdoor activity, and with the birthing season for a number of domestic animal species.

Figure 4 – Proportion of Q Fever cases reported to CDC by month of onset, 1998-2008.

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Persons at Risk

The frequency of reported cases of Q fever increases with age and is highest among males, which may reflect occupational risks for exposure among livestock handlers. A past history of heart valve defects, endocarditis, or valvular implants may increase the risk of chronic infection and severe disease outcome. Infection is also more common in patients with compromised immune systems (such as may occur through cancer treatments, advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, prior organ transplants, or some medications). Individuals who reside or spend time near ranches and livestock rearing facilities are at increased risk for infection.

Figure 5 – Average annual incidence of Q Fever by age group, 2000-2008

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Q Fever Reporting and Surveillance

The 1999 Q fever surveillance case definition was used to classify cases with onset years 2000-2007 into the categories probable and confirmed. The 2008 case definition became official as of January 1, 2008 and allows the categories probable and confirmed to be further categorized to acute and chronic manifestations of the disease. The 2008 case definition was again corrected in 2009 to clarify laboratory supportive serologic evidence. The 2009 case definition will remain current until a future revision is proposed and accepted. For more information on how to report cases of Q fever and to download a Q fever case report form (CRF), visit the “In-Depth Information” section.