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Cases of Q fever confirmed; controls reinforced in the livestock sector
Health authorities and the College of Veterinarians are warning of new outbreaks in rural areas. The zoonotic disease, linked to livestock farming, is once again highlighting biosecurity and occupational risks.
The province of Entre Ríos has raised the alarm following the confirmation of new cases of Q fever , a rare but highly transmissible zoonotic disease in rural areas. The outbreak is concentrated mainly in the northern part of the province, near Chajarí , within the Federación department, where at least five people have been identified as infected.
The cases mostly involve rural workers and veterinary professionals who had direct contact with animals. Some patients required hospitalization, although they are showing favorable clinical progress. The College of Veterinary Physicians of Entre Ríos ( CMVER ), headed by veterinarian Carolina Lell, issued a specific warning to the sector after a professional even contracted the virus during a field intervention.
The cases mostly involve rural workers and veterinary professionals who had direct contact with animals.
A silent but persistent disease, Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii , an agent with high resistance in the environment and a global distribution. It primarily affects cattle, sheep, and goats , which in most cases do not show symptoms, making its detection difficult in production facilities. However, animals can shed the bacteria through birthing fluids, placentas, milk, urine, and feces , becoming a source of infection for humans. This characteristic makes it a silent disease, but one with a high potential for spread.
It mainly affects cattle, sheep and goats, which in most cases do not show symptoms, making it difficult to detect in production establishments.
Transmission and Exposure Routes: The main route of infection is the inhalation of contaminated airborne particles , especially in environments where animals or biological materials are handled. Situations such as childbirth, abortions, field cesarean sections, or work in slaughterhouses represent high-risk situations. It is important to note that human-to-human transmission is extremely rare, so prevention efforts focus on the link with the production environment and animals.
Clinical manifestations and diagnostic challenges: In humans, the disease can present acutely with high fever, severe headache, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms similar to atypical pneumonia. In some cases, it can progress to complications such as hepatitis or, in its chronic form, endocarditis . Specialists warn that up to 50% of cases may be asymptomatic , which complicates detection and contributes to underreporting, especially in rural areas.
In humans, the disease can present acutely with high fever, severe headache, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms, similar to atypical pneumonia.
Occupational Risk and Prevention Measures: The outbreak highlights the occupational risk in agricultural activities. The most exposed groups include veterinarians, farm workers, meatpacking plant operators, and technicians involved in animal production. The CMVER (Veterinary Medical Council) emphasizes the need to strictly adhere to biosecurity measures , with a focus on the use of personal protective equipment, proper handling of biological waste, and rigorous disinfection of facilities and equipment. It is also recommended to minimize exposure to dust in potentially contaminated environments, given that the bacteria can survive for extended periods and be dispersed by the wind.
Health authorities and the College of Veterinarians are warning of new outbreaks in rural areas. The zoonotic disease, linked to livestock farming, is once again highlighting biosecurity and occupational risks.
May 4, 2026
The province of Entre Ríos has raised the alarm following the confirmation of new cases of Q fever , a rare but highly transmissible zoonotic disease in rural areas. The outbreak is concentrated mainly in the northern part of the province, near Chajarí , within the Federación department, where at least five people have been identified as infected.
The cases mostly involve rural workers and veterinary professionals who had direct contact with animals. Some patients required hospitalization, although they are showing favorable clinical progress. The College of Veterinary Physicians of Entre Ríos ( CMVER ), headed by veterinarian Carolina Lell, issued a specific warning to the sector after a professional even contracted the virus during a field intervention.
The cases mostly involve rural workers and veterinary professionals who had direct contact with animals.
A silent but persistent disease, Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii , an agent with high resistance in the environment and a global distribution. It primarily affects cattle, sheep, and goats , which in most cases do not show symptoms, making its detection difficult in production facilities. However, animals can shed the bacteria through birthing fluids, placentas, milk, urine, and feces , becoming a source of infection for humans. This characteristic makes it a silent disease, but one with a high potential for spread.
It mainly affects cattle, sheep and goats, which in most cases do not show symptoms, making it difficult to detect in production establishments.
Transmission and Exposure Routes: The main route of infection is the inhalation of contaminated airborne particles , especially in environments where animals or biological materials are handled. Situations such as childbirth, abortions, field cesarean sections, or work in slaughterhouses represent high-risk situations. It is important to note that human-to-human transmission is extremely rare, so prevention efforts focus on the link with the production environment and animals.
Clinical manifestations and diagnostic challenges: In humans, the disease can present acutely with high fever, severe headache, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms similar to atypical pneumonia. In some cases, it can progress to complications such as hepatitis or, in its chronic form, endocarditis . Specialists warn that up to 50% of cases may be asymptomatic , which complicates detection and contributes to underreporting, especially in rural areas.
In humans, the disease can present acutely with high fever, severe headache, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms, similar to atypical pneumonia.
Occupational Risk and Prevention Measures: The outbreak highlights the occupational risk in agricultural activities. The most exposed groups include veterinarians, farm workers, meatpacking plant operators, and technicians involved in animal production. The CMVER (Veterinary Medical Council) emphasizes the need to strictly adhere to biosecurity measures , with a focus on the use of personal protective equipment, proper handling of biological waste, and rigorous disinfection of facilities and equipment. It is also recommended to minimize exposure to dust in potentially contaminated environments, given that the bacteria can survive for extended periods and be dispersed by the wind.
