Public Health Notice: Q Fever cases identified in the village Ráztočno

The NRC for Rickettsioses at the Regional Public Health Authority RÚVZ Banská Bystrica, operating upon agreement at the Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava, confirms an ongoing outbreak of Q fever in the village of Ráztočno.

Q fever is a zoonotic infection caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. The bacterium primarily spreads through contact with infected animals such as domestic ruminants, especially goats and sheep—and their birth products, milk, urine, feces, or contaminated dust. Importantly, Coxiella burnetii is highly resistant in the environment and can become airborne, allowing it to travel significant distances by wind. In fact, infectious particles may disperse through the air for 2 km or even more, potentially causing infections without direct contact with animals. Human-to-human transmission of Q fever is extremely rare.

The NRC urges residents, farmers, and workers in animal-related occupations to take preventive measures, including avoiding contact with animal birth products, practicing strict hygiene, and refraining from consuming unpasteurized dairy products.

Healthcare professionals are advised to consider Q fever in patients exhibiting typical symptoms (high fever, chills, severe headache, general malaise, sore throat, non-productive cough, pneumonia, diarrhea, vomiting) who have relevant exposure to animals or contaminated environments.

The NRC is actively collaborating with veterinary and public health authorities to manage and contain this outbreak.

For inquiries please contact:

National Reference Center for Rickettsioses

Ludovit Skultety, DrSc, tel.: 02/59302418, e-mail: viruludo@savba.sk

Eva Spitalska, PhD, tel.: 02/59302430, e-mail: viruspi@savba.sk

Photo: canva.com