scholarly journals Q fever vaccination: Australian animal science and veterinary students’ One Health perspectives on Q fever prevention

Author(s):  
Md R. Rahaman ◽  
Adriana Milazzo ◽  
Helen Marshall ◽  
Anne-Lise Chaber ◽  
Peng Bi
2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rezanur Rahaman ◽  
Teresa Burgess ◽  
Adriana Milazzo ◽  
Helen Marshall ◽  
Anne-Lise Chaber ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Objective To identify the issues around the prevention of Q fever as understood by trainee animal health practitioners and livestock farmers and to compare their varying perceptions. Methods An online survey with an open question seeking participants’ suggestions about Q fever prevention was distributed among all animal science and veterinary students enrolled at the University of Adelaide and members of Livestock SA representing livestock farmers during March-September 2019. Students were recruited through their University course whilst livestock farmers were recruited by advertisements and direct emails. Thematic analysis of the data followed the Braun and Clarke framework. Results Two major themes arose in each group, whilst each group identified similar themes and sub themes, there was a differing emphasis on the importance of these. Both students and farmers viewed Q fever vaccination is important, but barriers included excessive cost for students while access to a vaccine provider and general practitioners’ inadequate knowledge were emphasized by farmers. Awareness was another major theme: students – generalized lack of awareness amongst themselves and the public; farmers – increasing public awareness is crucial. Conclusions Both groups recognized the importance of Q fever vaccination and viewed subsidy an enabler, but students’ perceptions were shaped by the high cost of the vaccine while farmers were most concerned with the impacts of the disease. Findings underscore that strengthening targeted and community awareness programs coupled with a subsidy could promote increased uptake of Q fever vaccination. Key messages Increasing awareness and subsidized vaccination could merit Q fever prevention approaches including vaccination.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1395
Author(s):  
Alberto Espí ◽  
Ana del Cerro ◽  
Álvaro Oleaga ◽  
Mercedes Rodríguez-Pérez ◽  
Ceferino M. López ◽  
...  

This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in domestic ruminants, wild ungulates, as well as the current situation of Q fever in humans in a small region in northwestern Spain where a close contact at the wildlife–livestock–human interface exists, and information on C. burnetii infection is scarce. Seroprevalence of C. burnetii was 8.4% in sheep, 18.4% in cattle, and 24.4% in goats. Real-time PCR analysis of environmental samples collected in 25 livestock farms detected Coxiella DNA in dust and/or aerosols collected in 20 of them. Analysis of sera from 327 wild ungulates revealed lower seroprevalence than that found in domestic ruminants, with 8.4% of Iberian red deer, 7.3% chamois, 6.9% fallow deer, 5.5% European wild boar and 3.5% of roe deer harboring antibodies to C. burnetii. Exposure to the pathogen in humans was determined by IFAT analysis of 1312 blood samples collected from patients admitted at healthcare centers with Q fever compatible symptoms, such as fever and/or pneumonia. Results showed that 15.9% of the patients had IFAT titers ≥ 1/128 suggestive of probable acute infection. This study is an example of a One Health approach with medical and veterinary institutions involved in investigating zoonotic diseases.


One Health ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 100232
Author(s):  
Md Rezanur Rahaman ◽  
Helen Marshall ◽  
Adriana Milazzo ◽  
Deane Crabb ◽  
Peng Bi

Author(s):  
Helena Greter ◽  
Vreni Jean-Richard ◽  
Lisa Crump ◽  
Mahamat Béchir ◽  
Idriss O. Alfaroukh ◽  
...  

‘One health’ is particularly suited to serve mobile pastoralists. Dinka pastoralists in Sudan inspired Calvin Schwabe to coin the term ‘one medicine’, indicating that there is no difference in paradigm between human and veterinary medicine. Our contemporary definition of ‘one health’ is any added value in terms of improved health of humans and animals or financial savings or environmental services resulting from a closer cooperation of human and animal health sectors. Here we present a summary of ‘one health’ studies with mobile pastoralists in Africa which were done in research partnership, demonstrating such an added value. Initial joint human and animal health studies revealed higher livestock vaccination coverage than in the pastoralist community, leading to joint animal and human vaccination intervention studies which demonstrated a better access to primary health care services for pastoralists in Chad. Further simultaneous animal and human serological studies showed that camel breeding was associated with human Q-fever seropositivity. In Borana communities in Ethiopia, human cases of  Mycobacterium bovis infection could be related to strains isolated from cattle. A challenge remained with regard to how to assess vaccination coverage in mobile populations. With the advent of mobile phones, health and demographic surveillance could be established for mobile pastoralists and their animals. This presents vast possibilities for surveillance and control of human and animal diseases. Pastoralists prefer a ‘one health’ approach and therefore contribute toward the validation of this concept by showing real added value of the cooperation between human and animal health services.


Author(s):  
Rita Cruz ◽  
Carmen Vasconcelos-Nobrega ◽  
Fernando Esteves ◽  
Catarina Coelho ◽  
Ana Sofia Ferreira ◽  
...  

Q fever, a widespread zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetiid, produces a complex and polymorphic disease in humans. As a zoonotic disease, control in animals will influence the level of disease seen in humans, thus resulting in interesting one health perspectives for disease control. Here the authors describe the clinical manifestations in animals and humans, as well as the current diagnostic methods available and the strategies for disease control. A review on the published information regarding Q fever as a disease with impact for veterinary public health and public health is presented.


Vaccines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Sellens ◽  
Katrina Bosward ◽  
Susan Willis ◽  
Jane Heller ◽  
Rowland Cobbold ◽  
...  

Q fever is a zoonosis of concern in many countries. Vaccination is the most effective means of prevention, and since 1989, Australia has had a licensed Q fever vaccine, Q-VAX®. This vaccine was also used in the Netherlands in 2011 following the largest recorded Q fever outbreak globally. There is a paucity of available data regarding adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) for young adult females. Such data are important for informing future vaccination recommendations both within Australia and internationally. This study collected Q fever vaccine (Q-VAX®) AEFI data in veterinary and animal science students at Australian universities. Students were enrolled at the time of vaccination and were emailed a link to an online AEFI survey one week later. Of the 60% (499/827) that responded, 85% were female and the median age was 18 years. Local injection site reactions (ISRs) occurred in 98% (95%; CI 96–99%) of respondents, of which 30% (95% CI 24–32%) were severe. Systemic AEFI occurred in 60% (95%; CI 55–64%) of respondents within the seven days following immunisation. Medical attention was sought by 19/499 (3.8%) respondents, of whom one sought treatment at a hospital emergency department. Females were more likely than males to experience any local ISR (odds ratio [OR] 9.3; 95% CI 2.5–33.8; p < 0.001), ISRs of greater severity (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.5–4.2; p < 0.001), and any systemic AEFI (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1–3.1; p = 0.016). These safety data suggest that a high frequency of adverse events following immunisation should be expected in young adults, particularly females. However, the consequences of Q fever disease are potentially far more debilitating.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1088-1095
Author(s):  
Maria L. Z. Dagli ◽  
Arun Pandiri ◽  
Jeff Wolf ◽  
Sibylle Groeters ◽  
Wanda M. Haschek-Hock

A wide range of career options is available globally in the environmental toxicologic pathology (ETP) arena including academia, government, contract research organizations, and the agrichemical/chemical industry. This small and specialized subset of toxicologic pathologists addresses the effects of contaminants and pollutants on human, animal, and ecological health (One Health). Veterinary students and pathology trainees are primarily exposed to diagnostic pathology and often have limited exposure to toxicologic pathology and even less so to the issues and opportunities in environmental toxicology. The speakers provided a brief overview of global opportunities in their work sector and personal perspectives of their careers in ETP. The following panel discussion provided an opportunity to discuss issues related to careers in this specialty.


Author(s):  
Md Rahaman ◽  
Adriana Milazzo ◽  
Helen Marshall ◽  
Peng Bi

Q fever, a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans, is a significant public health problem with a potential for outbreaks to occur. Q fever prevention strategies should incorporate human, animal, and environmental domains. A One Health approach, which engages cross-sectoral collaboration among multiple stakeholders, may be an appropriate framework and has the underlying principles to control Q fever holistically. To assess whether components of One Health for Q fever prevention and control have been applied, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken. We found 16 studies that had practiced or recommended a One Health approach. Seven emerging themes were identified: Human risk assessment, human and animal serology, integrated human–animal surveillance, vaccination for at-risk groups, environmental management, multi-sectoral collaboration, and education and training. Within the multi-sectoral theme, we identified five subthemes: Policy and practice guidelines, information sharing and intelligence exchange, risk communication, joint intervention, and evaluation. One Health practices varied between studies possibly due to differences in intercountry policy, practice, and feasibility. However, the key issue of the need for multi-sectoral collaboration was highlighted across most of the studies. Further research is warranted to explore the barriers and opportunities of adopting a One Health approach in Q fever prevention and control.


Author(s):  
Rita Cruz ◽  
Carmen Vasconcelos-Nobrega ◽  
Fernando Esteves ◽  
Catarina Coelho ◽  
Ana Sofia Ferreira ◽  
...  

Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease caused by Coxiella burnetii and ruminants, namely, cattle, sheep, and goats, are known to be the main reservoir for human infection. C. burnetii infection in animals can result in epizootic abortions which are often associated with vast bacteria shedding in birth fluids and placentas. Human infections mainly occur in persons handling infected animals and their products. Here the authors describe the history, bacteriology, biosafety, and epidemiology of Q fever, now known to be a serious threat to veterinary public health.


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