Emergency Preparedness

Kern Medical Bioterrorism Response Guide Section 2-A-4 – Q Fever ( Coxiella burnetii )

Q FEVER – QUICK REFERENCE

Any suspected or confirmed case of Q fever ( Coxiella burnetii ) must be reported to the infection control practitioner [ insert telephone number ] and the local health department [ insert telephone number ] immediately.

Bioterrorism Epidemiology: ? Exposure to a single inhaled organism can result in clinical disease. ? Person to person transmission does not occur. Incubation Period: ? Average 2 –14 days. Clinical Disease:

Symptoms may include fever, non-productive cough, severe headache, fatigue, and myalgias. Less prominent symptoms include chills, sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and pleuritic chest pain and neurological manifestations. Pneumonia may be rapidly progressive especially in persons who are immunosuppressed. Diagnosis: Laboratory tests are generally unremarkable. The WBC and hepatic transaminase levels may be elevated. The bilirubin is generally normal. Treatment: (See overview) ? Tetracycline 500 mg q 12 hours for 5 –7days ? Doxycycline 100 mg q 12 hours for 5 – 7days. Prophylaxis: (See overview) Antibiotics, if given too early following exposure, may delay but not prevent the onset of symptoms. ? Tetracycline ? Doxycycline Isolation: ? Standard Precautions

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