Q fever on the wine route

Several people suffer from Q fever

08/20/2014

In Neustadt an der Weinstrasse are currently unusually many diseases on the so-called Q fever, according to the message of the local health department. The disease is usually transmitted to humans by farm animals such as sheep, goats or cattle, according to the health department in Neustadt an der Weinstraße. Particularly dangerous is the infectious disease for pregnant women and those with heart defects or heart valve replacement, which is why the health department has called these groups at risk for a precautionary investigation - even if no signs of disease are present.

According to information from the public health department, pneumonia in the Lachen-Speyerdorf area has been increasing for around two weeks, and the investigations that have been conducted have shown that six patients were suffering from Q fever. It is true „a transmission from person to person not to be feared“, Nevertheless, further infections can not be ruled out. Because the exact infection is not yet determined. Here are local sheep, goats and cattle into consideration, but also an infection of wild animals is not ruled out according to the health authorities.

Sheep stocks as a source of infection?
The Department of Health has reported that three sheep farms are located in the vicinity of the illnesses, suggesting that the infections originated from here. All three stocks are checked according to the health department and in a sheep husbandry, the pathogen could already be detected. Further necessary measures would be initiated in cooperation with the livestock farmers. Although the Q fever in humans is usually rather harmless, but for the above risk group, the disease can be quite dangerous. According to the health department, Q fever usually expresses itself as one „summer flu“ with fever, chills, headache and body aches. In severe cases, those affected develop pneumonia.

Risk groups even without symptoms to the doctor
As special risk groups, the health department calls pregnant women, in which Q fever is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth, and persons with heart defects or heart valve replacement, which can lead to chronic inflammation in the heart. Persons of these risk groups who live in Lachen-Speyerdorf should, according to the notification of the health department „even if there are no symptoms, check for Q fever.“ This is important, because for the risk groups, in addition to the normal population, a higher risk of a chronic course is assumed.“ The health department offers a free test for the members of the risk groups, as the health insurance companies in patients without symptoms do not pay the costs for a study on Q fever.

In general, the health authority advises all people in Lachen-Speyerdorf and the surrounding area, the symptoms of a „summer flu“ suffer urgently from seeing their doctor. „Even those who had flu-like symptoms in the last four months, should contact his family doctor“, so the message of the health department. By means of a blood test can be clarified whether it is Q fever. If an infection is detected, it can usually be treated effectively with the help of antibiotics. (Fp)