Q-koorts in Nederland: 2008 en verwachting voor 2009

In 2007 and 2008 the Netherlands experienced a Q fever epidemic, with 196 and 906 confirmed cases respectively, predominantly in the south eastern part of the country. In previous years 22 farms with dairy goats reported having Q fever symptoms, i.e. spontaneous abortion.

In 2008 the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality instituted a set of measures to reduce transmission from goats to humans: making Q fever a notifiable disease, instituting hygiene regulations regarding manure processing, and offering voluntary vaccination of dairy goats in the area.

As of 2 February 2009 more extensive measures were put in place, consisting of obligatory vaccination of all dairy goats and sheep in a 45 kilometre area around the village of Uden and the whole province of Northern Brabant, and obligatory hygienic precautions for all dairy goat and sheep herds all over the country, and for rodent control, manure handling, and human-goat contact.

The transmission hypothesis focuses on airborne transmission, especially in specific weather conditions, i.e. dry and warm weather.

In 2009 new human infections are expected in the same and surrounding areas. Alertness in primary and secondary care institutions is required all over the country. Municipal Health Services are well informed on the local Q fever situation, both regarding humans and animals, and are responsible for communication with health care professionals in the region.