Q Fever among Dairy Cattle in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, 2012: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Q fever is an emerging zoonosis in Thailand caused by Coxiella burnetii. The purpose of this study was to explore the presence of C. burnetii antibody in dairy cattle, an important reservoir of Q fever, in Chiang Mai Province. Sera collected from dairy cattle by convenience sampling in San Pa Tong, Mae Wang and Mae On Districts in Chiang Mai were analyzed by the National Institute of Animal Health using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Proportions of seropositive dairy cattle at herd and individual levels were 62% (13/21) and 5% (28/581), respectively. Mae On District had the highest proportion of seropositive dairy cattle in this study. This result suggested that dairy cattle might be an important carrier of Q fever in farming communities and further investigation on Q fever burden in both livestock and farmers was warranted.
 
Keywords: Q fever, dairy cattle, Chiang Mai