Changes

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

'''Cattle, goats and sheep''' are the primary domestic reservoir for Q fever. Infected animals shed the pathogen in their '''urine, faeces, milk and birth materials'''. Infected cattle may become carriers of infection, with the agent localised in the mammary glands.

'''Cattle, goats and sheep''' are the primary domestic reservoir for Q fever.  

 

Infected animals shed the pathogen in their '''urine, faeces, milk and birth materials'''. Infected cattle may become carriers of infection, with the agent localised in the mammary glands.

In Europe, Q fever cases are more frequent in Spring and Summer, thought to be due to the lambing season.

In Europe, Q fever cases are more frequent in Spring and Summer, thought to be due to the lambing season.

5/6 human cases of Q fever are in '''adult males''' between 20 and 50 years old.

5/6 human cases of Q fever are in '''adult males''' between 20 and 50 years old.

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

Chronic Q fever is characterised by '''pneumonia, abortion, rhinitis''' and poor offspring viability in animals. Abortion usually occurs in the '''third trimester''' of gestation and may occur in '''storms''' over 2-4 weeks involving up to 50% of the flock/herd.

Chronic Q fever is characterised by '''pneumonia, abortion, rhinitis''' and poor offspring viability in animals. Abortion usually occurs in the '''third trimester''' of gestation and may occur in '''storms''' over 2-4 weeks involving up to 50% of the flock/herd.