Netherlands - Q fever outbreak - 20+ deaths

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

google translated

1 patient died in 2008, 3 died this year, 2009; all are reported to have "underlying diseases".

Until now this year we have 1,400 + cases . About 1 out of 4 is hospitalized this year.

Last year a 1,000 cases were reported, 1 out of 5 went to a hospital last year.

Four Q-fever patients deceased

Bilthoven - The past two years, there are four people deceased in the Netherlands after the Q-fever had accrued. Reported that the National Institute for Health and Environment (RIVM) Thursday. It is not certain that the fever was the main cause of death.

The first Q-fever patient as possible to the disease completely, it was reported in June 2008. It was unclear whether the man from South Limburg to his infection died, or that he died of old age, said the health authorities at the time.

Thursday claimed a microbiologist from the Jeroen Bosch Hospital in Den Bosch, Peter Weaver, it was confirmed that the disease in its region for two deaths took. Shortly after, the RIVM the number of possible deaths of the Q-fever in four.

Weaver believes that on the basis of foreign literature is to say that even more people by Q-fever are deceased. The study indicates that 1 to 2 percent of people diagnosed with Q fever in the hospital brings it collapses. Situations abroad can certainly be difficult but with the outbreak of Q fever in the Netherlands, says the RIVM.

About the exact number of death cases by only Q fever believes RIVM no sensible word to say. There,''in the hospital more than we look. Q fever is a horrible problem. The situation for us would really change if they were previously healthy people. In that case, I rather like conscience''said infectieziektebestrijding coordinator Jim van Steenbergen Thursday.

1429 patients

Until a few years ago, Q fever as an occupational disease which occasionally came to farmers and their staff. In 2007 became the first of many more infected people than normal (168). Since then, the disease suddenly spread to the Netherlands, first in Brabant, now in Limburg, Gelderland and Utrecht. This year so far in 1429 patients with Q fever were reported. Last year there were 998. A quarter of people in the hospital.

The disease is caused by a bacterium (Coxiella burnetii). The Q is probably the word "query" that question means. The agent of the disease was long unknown. Q fever in the Netherlands mainly spread by goats but also sheep. Especially livestock farmers, veterinarians and slaughterhouse personnel at risk.

But because the bacteria through the air is circulated, may in fact everyone in the vicinity of infected animals reach the bacterium. Pregnant women and people with low resistance (eg other diseases) are extra sensitive. Mothers are, for example, a small increased risk of premature birth or miscarriage.

In Australia, people are vaccinated against the disease. In the Netherlands do not. Experts say there are many drawbacks. Since April, goats have been vaccinated. The effect is noticeable next year, experts expect.

http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/265/.../06/25/Vier-Q-koortspatienten-overleden.dhtml

 

[tropical]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

After many years of spreadings and reporting, tollerating such an illness to be entrenched in an European country as Netherland, and at the same time having enaugh scientific options to crunch it, is ...

Saying it is not possible to achieve a goal, would mean retreating to health civilization levels and control practices of the XIX century.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Mmm, `tolerating` this illness ?

In previous years there were not many cases, they were very mild, probably underreported.

In 2007 20 cases were reported, it exploded last year and still is growing this year.

Last year Health Service was caught by surprise. The bacteria here in Holland doesn't behave like in other countries. Research is going on.
There even was a meeting with experts from all over the world, who concluded: we can't do very much at the moment. Yes, doing more research.

Health people hope the vaccination of the goats and sheep will help in the long term. However the bacteria seems to survive in the environment for a long time. The disease continues to spread this year.

Vaccination of people doesn't seem to be an option at the moment, people who were ill and did not know it, could have a very serious allergic reaction.

Mother Nature is full of surprises, pleasant ones and unpleasant ones. You just can't always force her to do what you want her to do .

Like with bird flu and novel H1N1 there seems to be a link between Q-fever and highly intensive animalfarming. Goats this time.

Farmers started to milk more goats in large farms after having problems with EU regulations regarding freezing the production of milk from cows.

 

[tropical]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Mmm, `tolerating` this illness ?
...
Like with bird flu and novel H1N1 there seems to be a link between Q-fever and highly intensive animalfarming. Goats this time.

Farmers started to milk more goats in large farms after having problems with EU regulations regarding freezing the production of milk from cows.

"Tolerating" is intended to be a surprise that in a high developed country could remains sustained for years an illness which is mostly entrenched in rural developing countries.

The illness surviving long in the environment indeed.
More decontaminations of the fields by adding an covering substrate, at the same time by herd vaccinations?
Deminishing the production and giving compensations?

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Before 2007 aprox. 15 cases a year

In 2007 aprox. 190 cases

In 2008 aprox 1,000 cases


Update august 12, 2009


Cumulative number of confirmed infections in 2009 : 2,026

Probable cases : 99

Deaths : 4

http://www.rivm.nl/cib/themas/Q-koorts/

Link to graph: http://www.rivm.nl/cib/binaries/epicurve Q-koorts_tcm92-59728.pdf# class=

Link to map: http://www.rivm.nl/cib/binaries/Qkoorts_per_gemeente_tcm92-60500.pdf# class=

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 4 deaths

Number of Dutch Q fever cases soars
Published on12 August 2009 - 6:25pm
Filed under:

• http://www.rnw.nl/category/tags-english/q-fever

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of Q fever in the Netherlands since 2007. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reports that there have been 2,026 recorded cases this year. This is twice as many as the number reported in all of 2008.

Although at first the disease was concentrated in the province of North Brabant, it has now spread to other provinces.

Q fever is caused by a bacteria carried by goats, sheep and cattle. The disease, which is spread by contact with livestock, produces flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches and vomiting. However, it can also cause life-threatening pneumonia, and in its chronic form an inflammation of the lining of the heart.

• 

:tiphat:http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/number-dutch-q-fever-cases-soars

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

October 7, 2009

A 6th patient died of Q-fever. It is a 57-year-old man with an
underlying vascular disease, who developed chronic Q-fever.


Total number of confirmed Q-fever cases : 2 098

Probable cases : 106

http://www.rivm.nl/cib/themas/Q-koorts/#index_3


Graph

http://www.rivm.nl/cib/binaries/epicurve Q-koorts_tcm92-59728.pdf

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Q FEVER - NETHERLANDS (12): UPDATE
***********************************

Date: Mon 7 Dec 2009
Source: Agrarisch Dagblad [in Dutch, trans. Mod.AS, edited]
http://www.agd.nl/1090668/Nieuws/Va...htige-geiten-op-besmette-bedrijven-ruimen.htm


The RIVM [Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the
Environment] expert consultation on Q-fever advises the Ministry of
Agriculture to remove [in fact, kill] all pregnant goats from farms
infected with Q fever.

This advice is included in the opinion paper, submitted by RIVM to
the Ministry. The measure is meant to be applied on holdings where
bulk milk tests have repeatedly been found positive for Q fever.

The expert consultation related to this as a one-off measure to
prevent infection spread during the due kidding season, when
apparently normal or aborted offspring may spread the pathogen. "It
is possible that uninfected pregnant goats will be removed as well,"
writes the RIVM. The organization indicates that there may be a
distinction made between vaccinated and unvaccinated holdings. "In
unvaccinated holdings, this strategy is the only way to eliminate or
substantially reduce the secretion of the pathogen in 2010," said the
RIVM. "On vaccinated holdings, this strategy can be used as an
additional reducing measure, because these holdings have already
reduced the secretion by the vaccination."

It has also been recommended to continue the vaccination strategy as
well as to temporarily ban increase in the size of goat holdings or
adding new ones.

The expert consultation involved both veterinary as well as public
health experts. The ministries of agriculture and health are expected
to decide during this week about the approach towards Q fever
control. The experts' advice addresses 8 possible strategies.

[Byline: Mariska Vermaas]
--
Communicated by:
Sabine Zentis
Castleview Pedigree English Longhorns
Gut Laach 52385 Nideggen, Germany
<cvlonghorns@aol.com>

[According to data from RIVM, as of 25 Nov 2009, 2293 clinical cases
of Q fever and 6 fatalities have been recorded during 2009 (as of 25
Nov 2009). The numbers for previous years were: 2007 -- 168, 2008 --
1000. A histogram presenting weekly figures for the period 1 Jan 2007
- 25 Nov 2009, and a map showing the affected regions, are available
at http://www.rivm.nl/cib/themas/Q-koorts/index.jsp.

This Q fever outbreak, soon to enter its 4th year, has become the
world's largest on record. Satisfactory explanation for the highly
unusual event, characterized by mass infections in humans in spite of
the rather low-keyed clinical disease in animals, and the underlined
role of goats, is still anticipated. The destruction of pregnant
animals as a preventive measure to protect humans is unusual as well.
Debates in the Dutch Parliament, reportedly scheduled for next week,
reflect the growing concern on this issue.

An updated epigram and a map of the affected areas is available at
http://www.rivm.nl/cib/themas/Q-koorts/index.jsp. - Mod.AS]

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,80390



Comment: currently concerns regarding Q-fever are growing nationwide.

- Q-fever cases exploded this year

- reports circulate reporting another 5 Q-fever deaths, however no yet on the website of RIVM

- it seems clear the handling of the outbreak is hampered because of a struggle between Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture. The latter has won until now, "we need more data etc" , nothing much happened, except vaccinating of goats and sheep.


The Q-fever outbreak seems to be related to a combination of:

----strong growth of the number of huge goatfarms in the Netherlands

----Holland is a small country, so you always have people living near the goatfarms

----Dry summer: the bacteria seems to spread via manure, which is spread on the land and later partly turns into dust, carrying the bacteria. Could be miles away.

----Underestimation and burocratic struggle of authorities, a strong agricultural lobby.


Culling goats and sheep with the Coxiella burnetii bacteria, causing the Q-fever is unprecedented indeed, however the current outbreak with 11 deaths is unprecedented too.

-


Recent news reports in Dutch here: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132531


.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Presentation on Q-fever, from Ministry of Agriculture , dated october 2009.

http://ec.europa.eu/food/committees...ealth/presentations/0304112009_q_fever_nl.pdf

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Interesting comment on cats and dogs

Q FEVER - NETHERLANDS (13): CONTROL MEASURES
***********************************************

[1]
Date: Wed 9 Dec 2009
Source: RNW - Radio Netherlands Worldwide [edited]
http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/ministers-call-q-fever-animal-slaughter


An estimated 15 000 to 20 000 goats and sheep in the Netherlands are
to be slaughtered in connection with Q-fever.

Minister of Health Ab Klink and Minister of Agriculture Gerda Verburg
have agreed that on infected farms where animals have not been
vaccinated, all pregnant animals must be slaughtered, whether or not
they have the virus [sic; the agent is a bacterium].

Q-fever is caused by bacteria (_Coxiella burnetii_) released when
pregnant goats or sheep have spontaneous abortions. The disease is
prevalent in areas in the southern Netherlands with large-scale goat
farms and a relatively dense population. This year [2009] alone, 2200
[in fact, 2293 cases as of 25 Nov 2009] people have contracted it,
most of them in the southern rural province of Brabant. At least 6
people have died.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org

******
[2]
Date: Wed 9 Dec 2009
Source: NRC-Handelsblad, Daily, Netherlands [edited]
<http://www.nrc.nl/international/article2433914.ece/Tougher_approach_on_Q-fever_in_the_Netherlands?service=Print>


To stop the spread of Q-fever, which has killed 6 people so far, the
Dutch authorities are ordering all pregnant goats on contaminated
farms slaughtered.

Health minister Gerda Verburg and agriculture minister Ab Klink
agreed Wednesday [9 Dec 2009] to take drastic measures to prevent the
spread of Q-fever. Following a recommendation by the National
Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), they decided
to order all pregnant goats slaughtered on contaminated farms.

Q-fever first appeared in the Netherlands in 2007. It is caused by
infection with the _Coxiella burnetti_ bacterium, which can be found
in cattle, sheep, goats or domestic animals. It is easily released
when a pregnant infected animal miscarries because of the disease.

In humans, Q-fever can cause permanent heart problems. Close to 2330
people in the Netherlands have been infected so far. Six patients
with an underlying illness died as a result.

Last week, the RIVM advised the government to slaughter all pregnant
goats on contaminated farms, regardless of whether the animals are
infected. Even if this would result in the slaughter of "tens of
thousands" of animals, it would be "the most effective measure," the RIVM said.

There has been increasing criticism of the government's handling of
Q-fever lately. Doctors from North Brabant, the area where the
disease is the most widespread, have accused the government of giving
in to the farming industry.

On Tuesday [8 Dec 2009], the association of Dutch municipalities
asked the government to "let the public health interest be the
guiding principle" in setting policy on Q-fever.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org

[While small ruminants, namely goats and sheep are traditionally
regarded as the main potential source of human infection, other
animals, such as cattle, dogs and cats, are not to be disregarded. In
urban areas, littering cats have been seriously suspected as a
significant source of human infection.

In the Dutch context, the
earlier (1997) review "Q fever in Europe" is of interest. It included
the following text: "In some human cases, no relation with
"classical" sources can be found, and possible new sources must be
sought. In a serological study of dogs and cats [in central
Netherlands, 1992], 13.2 percent (91/688) of dogs and 10.4 percent
(46/441) of cats were found to be positive for specific antibodies
against _C. burnetii_.

This implies that cats and dogs may be a
source of infection. Special attention to hygiene during parturition
may be needed." See "Q fever in Europe" in Eurosurveillance, Volume
2, Issue 2, 01 February 1997 at
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=138. - Mod.AS]

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,80422

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Something to read.

Q Fever in Bulgaria and Slovakia


As a result of dramatic political and economic changes in the beginning of the 1990s, Q-fever epidemiology in Bulgaria has changed. The number of goats almost tripled; contact between goat owners (and their families) and goats, as well as goats and other animals, increased; consumption of raw goat milk and its products increased; and goats replaced cattle and sheep as the main source of human Coxiella burnetii infections.

Hundreds of overt, serologically confirmed human cases of acute Q fever have occurred.

Chronic forms of Q fever manifesting as endocarditis were also observed.

In contrast, in Slovakia, Q fever does not pose a serious public health problem, and the chronic form of infection has not been found either in follow-ups of a Q-fever epidemic connected with goats imported from Bulgaria and other previous Q-fever outbreaks or in a serologic survey.

Serologic diagnosis as well as control and prevention of Q fever are discussed.


http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol5no3/serbezov.htm

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

An e-mail - dated november 14 2009 - published on Warmwell.com

The mail is from Dr Ruth Watkins, a virologist in the UK.

Dear Mary

I don't know if you remarked an email on promed on the 12 Nov on the disease of columnaris in fish caused Flavobacterium columnare. (Yes. Fish farming can make diseases more virulent, say researchers[) The article describes how fish farming, an intensive farming business, enables more pathogenic flavobacteria to be selected and continue transmission as there is such a large number of susceptibles who are in contact with a diseased fish. Such bacteria would not be selected for in natural extensive fish living conditions in the sea or fresh water. This reminds me of highly pathogenic influenza which is selected for in intensive poultry systems.

The other danger of intensive farming is the accumulation of enormous numbers of organisms in comparison with extensive or more 'natural' farming conditions.

I am glad you have drawn attention to Q fever in the Netherlands. They have done too little about it too late- I ..have sent emails over the last year or so about Q fever drawing attention to the seriousness of the situation. It has developed into the current epidemic because of intensive goat farming systems where they do not go outside but live their whole lives in a shed in large numbers to provide a milking business.

They really have a problem. Q fever organisms may remain viable for decades in dust- there was an outbreak in Cardiff thought to be caused by taking down an old building where straw contaminated with spores had been stored or used in the fabric. Q fever occurs worldwide except in New Zealand! Those farms where infection has occurred in the Netherlands will be heavily contaminated with Q fever and a source for years to come. It is not only humans that are susceptible (one organism inhaled can cause infection) but also other domestic animals such as sheep, cattle, dogs and cats.

The organism is so infectious to work with in the laboratory that it is only cultured in very high containment facilities and all personnel working in such facilities are vaccinated because infection would seem to be unavoidable. Actually diagnosis of infection with Coxiella burnetii is quite difficult to do well and involves the preparation of reagents to detect immunogobulin types G, M and A to phase one and phase two Q fever antigens. It is best done in the UK by Dr Lloyd's containment level 4 laboratory at Porton Down where he prepares the reagents.

The diseases Q fever causes in humans, and I suspect also in other animals, are various. C burnetii is not only associated with abortions and pneumonia, but also with recurrent fever, hepatitis acute and chronic, cardiac disease- infection of the valves which can be fatal, and disease of the central nevous system, a meningoencaphalitis which can give rise to strokes and can also be fatal. Chronic disease is difficult to diagnose and treat and may need long term monitoring and follow up and may have limited responsiveness to long courses of tetracyclines or any other newer drugs that may have activity against Coxiella burnetii. Chronic infection with Q fever is usually way down on the list of diagnoses to be worked through methodically, and the specialist diagnostic antibody tests are essential- for instance in chronic hepatitis very high levels of IgA and IgM antibodies may occur not only to phase one antigens but also phase two. As response to therapy occurs in the liver so may the titres of antibody fall; follow-up may have to be indefinite.

The numbers of reported human cases in the Netherlands are bound to be an underestimate. Seroepidemiology on the human population and close monitoring of the situation in domestic animals is necessary to understand the extent of the Q fever outbreak. I expect the Netherlands are sensitive about doing this as it is a bad advertisement for tourism for example. Also I hope unpasteurised goat's milk and its products are banned. There should be active surveillance on all sheep and goat milking farms. Also on cattle dairy farms in the areas near known infected farms. I believe they should consider banning intensive goat farming for milk, likewise such sheep farming. On the farms where large outbreaks have occurred dismantling and burial of the buildings and their associated organic matter and dust should be considered, under continuous rain!

These sound like extreme measures but if vaccination of goats is the only measure taken the infection will continue to spread throughout the goat intensive dairying industry in the Netherlands, and to any such sheep intensive dairying industry. It may already be quite widespread in other domesticated animals where it may be sustained and continue to be a significant source of infection. It may be that small flocks of goats or sheep used for milking that are vaccinated, grazed outside, and kidded or lambed under guidance and monitoring of all premature abortions and miscarriages will not prove to be a risk of significant Q fever infection and source for other animals including humans.

There is a lot to be said for allowing animals natural living conditions.

best wishes

Ruth Watkins

UPDATE received from Dr Watkins an hour later...

I should point out that luckily the chronic infections and disease of the heart and liver, and recurrent fevers, are unusual in humans. This does have a bearing on the goats on the farms I would propose to close in their present form of 100s of goats living all their lives in one shed, one space. Goats are overwhelmingly likely to have acute infection with C burnetii that they clear. (I don't believe that a latent form of Q fever infection is known of)

The goats that have had an infection (could be screened for on serology) are the best immunised of all and there is no need to end their lives because of Q fever. The non-immune goats should be immunised some months before they are put to the billy. The spread of the organism in the environment arises primarily from placental products and infection of the placenta, with or without abortion, and this occurs in those goats infected during pregnancy or perhaps shortly before becoming pregnant.

If the goats are grazing outside, not in holding pens and given hay, but properly outside, with grasses and scrub, they are unlikely to be exposed to infection at all, and even if brought in to kid in the final few weeks of pregnancy, will not therefore have infected placentas and amniotic fluid. That is probably why Q fever is not a big problem in Wales, because even though there are large flocks of ewes, 1000 or so, they are outside and either lamb outside or if inside are only brought in shortly before lambing.

Chlamydiale psittaci is a problem in sheep, perhaps because they infect each other by the respiratory route, but this also has the same proclivity as C burnetii for the placenta and infection can be spread by placental products. If ewe lambs are vaccinated at least 6 weeks before their first mating with the ram with a live Chlamydiale psittaci vaccine they are protected from infection during pregnancy and enzootic abortion (this is what I do with my small flock of sheep and every abortion is investigated, few so far, and where a cause found it has been an untypable campylobacter or an E coli infection).

Toxoplasma gondii in sheep can also cause outbreaks of abortion with primary infection in pregnancy, but this is due to contamination of pasture with oocytes in faeces shed from young cats for about 3 weeks after the cats are first infected themselves. Again if this is a problem (I don't have young cats about) vaccine can be obtained most years, again a live vaccine given at least 6 weeks before tupping.

C psittaci can be associated with abortions in humans and T gondii also, and tragically the latter is also associated with foetal damage, most commonly to the retinae, also the damage can be severe to the brain and also fatal exactly in the same way as in lambs. The standard advice is that pregnant women should not go near the lambing shed or have anything to do with lambing ewes inside or out.

ends

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Goat Flu Epidemic Reported in Netherlands

Submitted by Deborah Mitchell on Dec 12th, 2009

Following on the heels of bird flu and swine flu, there are now reports from the Netherlands of an outbreak of goat flu. Online news sources report that up to 2,300 people have been infected by goat flu and that six individuals have died of the disease.

Goat flu, also known as Q fever or Q flu, affects both goats and sheep. It is caused by bacteria called Coxiella burnetii, which are released when pregnant goats or sheep experience a spontaneous abortion. The bacteria spread very easily according to experts.

The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed that the virus has been detected at 55 to 350 Dutch farms, with the most affected areas being the cities of Eindhoven and Tilburg. According to the Dutch News, agriculture ministers announced on Wednesday afternoon at a news conference that they will begin culling herds of goats. The unofficial number of animals to be killed is between 15,000 and 20,000, mainly goats, to help prevent further spread of the disease. All infected sheep and goats that have been vaccinated will be slaughtered, as will all pregnant goats and sheep on farms where the disease has been identified.

Symptoms of goat flu include severe headache, chills, perspiration, aching muscles, diarrhea, slow pulse, and general illness. The acute version of the disease lasts for up to 14 days, but individuals who get a chronic type may have the disease for up to two years. In the chronic version, fatigue is the main symptom. The disease can also cause lung and heart problems.

All of the six individuals who died of goat flu had other health problems. At this point, there are no recorded cases of transmission of goat flu infection from person to person. A spokesperson from the public health institute RIVM, Roel Coutinho, told Trouw that the goat flu epidemic may be the result of an aggressive goat farming initiative in the Netherlands. In 1995, there were 7,600 goats in the country, but today there are more than 350,000. Unfortunately, the flu epidemic is about to change those numbers significantly.

SOURCES:
Dutch News, Dec. 12, 2009
Novinite.com, Dec. 11, 2009

http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/90/34758/goat-flu-epidemic-reported-netherlands.html

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

The Q-fever outbreak is not new, it has been going on for several years now.

The news is authorities decided - at last - to do more .

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Reported Q-fever patients in the Netherlands, in 2007, 2008 and 2009


2009

2008

2007

RIVM: http://www.rivm.nl/vtv/object_map/o3069n21466.html

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

google translated


All pregnant animals on infected holdings culled

News, December 16, 2009


Gerda Verburg, the Ministers of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and Ab Klink
Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) have decided that in the fight against Q-fever all
pregnant goats on contaminated farms are to be culled. Previously the two ministers wanted
vaccinated and unvaccinated companies treat differently, but based on the additional
advice is sought from experts, they made another decision.

The culling of all infected pregnant animals on farms, according to the experts
led by Roel Coutinho of the RIVM, gives the highest protection for public health. Because
Q fever-infected animals the bacterium Coxiella Burnettii not constantly excrete, it may
testing many infected animals are overlooked, so during the coming
lambing season, yet many bacteria can be in the environment.

Furthermore, not yet known how large the actual effect of the compulsory vaccination earlier this
year. Although the first results are positive, this can only be evaluated after the lambing season
2010. The limited availability of the vaccine in 2009 was only part of the
Netherlands goats vaccinated. Experts believe that infected farms during the
upcoming lambing season therefore still too high risk to the
health.

Decision
Ministers Klink and Verburg to reduce the risk and have therefore decided to
preventive culling of all infected pregnant animals possible. All billy-goats (males)
will be culled, because they can transmit the infection via semen. Not pregnant animals
on infected farms will be saved: they are vaccinated and for these animals is a lifelong breeding ban.


Breeding ban and moratorium
Furthermore, a general breeding ban is set for all companies with dairy goats or sheep. Reason
is that companies are not infected now could be infected during the coming months
because the animals do not always excrete the bacteria. These companies not expand.

The breeding ban applies to July 1, 2010. Also, the moratorium was already in the
circles of 5 kilometer extended to the Netherlands. It may only companies in the vaccinated
animals are raised, but not more than the ceiling set by the November count.
This means that none of the dairy goats and sheep farms in the Netherlands are to expand.

That the two ministers today in a letter to the House informed. The letter is also
the additional expert advice and sent a card with the address book of
infected farms. The residents in the 5-km zone and the mayors of municipalities where
an infected farm is located, are informed as soon as possible about the new
measures.

Culling
The Food and Goods Authority (VWA) starts Monday, December 21 with the culling of pregnant
animals on infected holdings. Companies who first lambs are the first turn. It
not removed during the Christmas and New Year. The animals are culled with an injection,
for both the goats and for the unborn young this is the most friendly way of
killing. The injections are administered at the farm because the transport to slaughter
unacceptable in terms of health and welfare.

In 55 infected farms are in total around 64,000 dairy goats, of which over 34,000
pregnant animals and over 1200 billy-goats. At the end of this week, the final results are
expected of 16 companies that were declared previously suspected. At these companies are in total 17,500
animals; 10,000 pregnant animals and 350 billy-goats. The expectation is that we come
months still regularly confronted with new infectious companies based on new
test results of milk.

http://www.minvws.nl/nieuwsberichten/pg/2009/maatregelen-q-koorts.asp?rss

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 6 deaths

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8417009.stm

Netherlands to cull 35,000 goats in Q fever fight


This outbreak of Q fever first appeared on Dutch farms in 2007

The Dutch authorities are to slaughter 34,000 pregnant goats, and a further 1,200 male goats, to stop an outbreak of Q fever spreading to humans.

Q fever has been found in 55 Dutch farms so far, and six farm workers have died this year.

A total of 10 workers have died since the current outbreak began in 2007.
Q fever is caused by a bacterium which passes to humans from goats and sheep. In humans, it causes flu-like symptoms and in rare cases can be fatal.
Most of the farms affected are in the southern Brabant province and the slaughter will account for more than half their total livestock.

Vaccine shortage
All breeding on sheep and goat farms is to be prohibited until July 2010.
The slaughter was originally intended to include only non-vaccinated pregnant goats but was extended to vaccinated animals too on affected farms as a result of recent health advice.

The Netherlands launched an obligatory animal vaccination campaign at the start of 2009 but a shortage of vaccine meant the whole country could not be covered.

Q fever is caused by the coxiella burnetii bacterium.

A single organism is enough to infect a human but experts say if treated appropriately it should not prove fatal except in rare cases.

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 11 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 11 deaths

The rapid spread of the bird flu threat to the world and goats confirmed cases in Arab countries




The rapid spread of the bird flu threat to the world and goats confirmed cases in Arab countries

Avian (H5N1) transmitted by birds to the virus (H1N1), which is transmitted via pigs, humanity is facing today a new epidemic known as "Q", which is transmitted through the goats. The infection appeared in a number of European and Arab countries, and alarming because of the rapid spread of new epidemic spread of the virus in excess of (H1N1). Continues to divide the controversial about the causes of viruses.
And hit and B "Q" the new strain of bird goats so far more than 2300 people ... According to reports published by news sites on the Internet, including the Belga news agency "Belga" and location "Dac News," the Dutch and the location of "The Voice of bribes" (Voice of Russia), and the agency Sofia Bulgarian news, the new epidemic has so far infected more than 2300 people around the world , 11 died from the Netherlands, including at least 6, and 19 others in Belgium, 21 in America and 4 in Canada infected with "Q" strain of bird goats, and thus the world in the face of B, not less dangerous than its predecessors.

Indicated that it did not stop only when the European countries, but also appeared Arab countries, as Algeria's leading newspaper reported in its issue yesterday that he "was recorded cases of bird goats in other countries around the world, including the Gulf states, Egypt and other Arab countries, where monitoring 7 cases in Saudi Arabia, 3 and 6 in Bahrain and 16 in Qatar in the UAE and 8 in Egypt and 2 in Oman and 32 other Arab countries. "

Facts about bird goats
The reports quoted sources as saying that the bird healthy goats, also known as (Q) and it affects goats and sheep are essential and that the cause of infection, due to the type of bacteria known as "Koksila" a harmful bacteria, which spread quickly and easily when infected sheep and goats abortion surprising. The reports quoted by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that it had been discovered the spread of avian goats in more than 55 sheep farms in the Netherlands, specifically in the areas of PSV Eindhoven and Tilburg.

The Web site, "Dac News" news that the Ministry of Agriculture announced in a press conference a few days before it would soon start implementing a campaign to execution of herds of sheep and goats were found positive for this epidemic, which is expected to witness the execution of the campaign, picking between 15 and 20 thousand head of goats and sheep in order to try to prevent the spread of the epidemic, as will be slaughtered, all animals have been vaccinated against the disease, as well as females pregnant goats and sheep in all the farms that were discovered the disease.

In an attempt to alleviate fears, quick specialists in the field of health to point out that the bird does not move goats to humans only through direct contact with infected animals.

He said those specialists that the symptoms of the disease are similar to a large extent with other types of flu, including sore throat and nose and the pain of infiltration parties, headache, high body temperature as well as nausea and the desire to vomit in severe cases usually lead to death if not treated soon as appropriate.

So far, monitoring has not been any case of transmission of flu infection goats from person to person since all the human cases which were detected so far due to transmission of the virus from animals to humans through direct contact.

The neighbors rushed to the Netherlands to take all measures and precautions necessary to prevent the spread of the virus to their territory. As reports of the disease struck many countries, including Belgium panic, where he held Chris Peters, President of the Belgian government - which is also the Minister of Agriculture - an urgent meeting with ministers to discuss the measures to be taken to tackle the spread of the disease, while the Dutch authorities decided to slaughter all female goats "ten" as a protective against the disease that has emerged with their lands..

snip..the rest is conspiracy stuff.

:tiphat:http://forum.dl3666.com/showthread.php?p=156831#post156831

 

[alert]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 11 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 11 deaths

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136926

See also the above thread. Treyfish's post above is another Middle Eastern/Arabic article with the same two errors, the mistranslation putting the word "bird" in, and the misuse of the idiomatic expresssion "flu". Apparently the colloquial expression "goat flu" for the bacterial disease Q fever has misled many authorities in that area to suspect a new strain of flu.

We saw a little bit of this over the summer with the mention of "dog flu" (which at least was influenza, although not infectious to people), but we seem to be seeing lots of it now with "goat flu".

Also of note is "Koksila" is what the Google translator did to Coxiella, the genus of the bacteria repsonsible for Q fever. At the linked thread, the expression was "Kohzela".

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 11 deaths

Re: Netherlands - Q fever outbreaks - 11 deaths

Source: http://www.forexyard.com/en/reuters...1_LDE5BG1VS_RTRIDST_0_DUTCH-LIVESTOCK-DISEASE

More Dutch farms hit by infectious goat fever

Friday December 18, 2009 01:13:17 AM GMT
Reuters News
DUTCH-LIVESTOCK/DISEASE

AMSTERDAM, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Dutch authorities, already battling an outbreak of the highly infectious disease Q fever, have discovered contamination at five more farms and expect further outbreaks, the Agriculture Ministry said on Thursday.

Q fever is caused by a bacterium that is mostly transmitted to humans from goats and sheep, especially during delivery of young, and the number of human cases of the disease has risen to about 2,200 currently from about 170 in 2007.

A total of 60 farms in the country are now known to be affected and authorities plan to cull an extra 5,000 goats on top of the 35,000 announced on Wednesday, a spokesman for the agriculture ministry said.

For humans, the illness causes flu-like symptoms treatable with antibiotics, but in rare cases it can be fatal. Six people who had other diseases or were weakened have died this year while having Q fever.

The culling of goats is set to begin on Dec. 21, and will be done by lethal injection.

Dutch authorities have toughened up measures to stop the disease spreading to humans following health advice, but Dutch farmers organisation LTO has opposed the plans, particularly the decision to kill healthy animals on contaminated farms. (Reporting by Catherine Hornby, editing by Anthony Barker)