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Coxiella burnetti Q FEVER Overview • • • • • • • • • • • Organism Transmission Epidemiology Disease in Humans Case Studies Disease in Animals Medical Surveillance Laboratory Procedures Respiratory Protection (N95) Emergency Procedures Prevention and Control ORGANISM The Organism Coxiella burnetii Obligate intracellular, gram negative bacterium Forms spore-like structures Highly resistant to heat, drying, & some disinfectants Can survive for months in dust & feces particles Killed by pasteurization Exists in two antigenic phases Phase 1: virulent-infected animals/humans and in nature Phase 2: less pathogenic- found after multiple lab passages in eggs or cell cultures • • • • Q stands for Query Discovered in 1937 in Queensland, Australia (slaughterhouse workers) 1938- Montana, USA (isolated from ticks) Outbreaks ▫ ▫ ▫ Largest outbreak 2007-2010 more than 4,000 cases in the Netherlands; required euthanizing 50,000 goats 2011- Northwestern US-involved 21 goat farms and resulted in 20 human infections Military troops ▫ In areas with infected animals Cities and towns Downwind from farms Near roads traveled by animals TRANSMISSION Transmission Inhalation (most common) Dust, droplets Birthing fluids/amniotic fluid/placenta 109 bacteria released per gram of placenta Urine, feces, raw milk Direct or indirect contact with infected animal Contaminated surfaces, equipment, bedding, etc Arthropods (ticks) Person to person transmission is rare EPIDEMIOLOGY Epidemiology Worldwide Except New Zealand Primary reservoirs Ruminants-Sheep, cattle, goats Pregnant females, fetuses, females that have just delivered/aborted, newborns Cats, dogs, rabbits Birds Reptiles Wildlife species: moose, white-tailed deer, black bears Epidemiology Who’s at risk? Farmers Veterinarians Meat processors/ abattoir workers Laboratory workers/animal laboratory workers Immunocompromised Pregnant women Q Fever in the U.S.: *CDC 2011 *CDC-2011 DISEASE IN HUMANS Human Disease Incubation: 2 to 4 weeks Disease 50%-Asymptomatic Acute Chronic Acute Infection Flu like symptoms: high fever (up to 104-105◦F), headache, sore throat, vomiting, nausea, fatigue Pneumonia with mild cough (50%) Less common • Hepatitis, myocarditis, central nervous system complications Self-limiting-38% >50% asymptomatic 2-4% require hospitalization <1% mortality rate Chronic Disease (> 6 months) 1-5% of acutely infected individuals Pre existing heart conditions, pregnant women, immunocompromised Endocarditis (60-70%) Other Aortic aneursyms Osteomyelitis 50% relapse rate despite antibiotic therapy Mortality rate >50% Endocarditis- fatality rate 25-60% if untreated Risk to Pregnant Women Most asymptomatic (98%) Transplacental transmission Reported complications Premature birth Low birth weight Miscarriage Placentitis Greatest risk during 1st trimester Diagnosis Serology (most common method) IFA, CF, ELISA, microagglutination DNA detection methods PCR Isolation of organism Not recommended Poses risks to laboratory personnel BLS 3- Select Agent Treatment Treatment –ideal to begin first 3 days of illness Acute disease Doxycycline Chronic disease Doxycycline (2-3 weeks) and hydroxychloroquine (~18 months) Immunity Long lasting (possibly lifelong) CASE STUDIES Dairy Farmer Case 2001 Dairy Cow Farmer (Georgia) Sudden onset of flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, cough Diagnosed as influenza 2 weeks later presented to emergency room-again diagnosed as flu Dairy Farmer Case Referred to infectious disease specialist Tested positive for Q fever (phase II) 5 day course anitibiotics-symptoms resolved in 2 weeks Epidemiology No recent animal births on his farm Two beef cattle herds of approximately 35 animals each were across the road 2 out of 14 tested were positive for Q fever MMWR 10/2002 Poker Player’s Pneumonia March 5-16, 1987 Nova Scotia, Canada 12 individuals who often played poker together were infected with Q fever. Symptoms: headache, pneumonia, cough Cat gave birth to kittens, 1 stillborn on 2/14/87 in the room where poker was played Direct contact not required Military Personnel Reports of US military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, including some without any known animal exposure. Since 2003, more than 200 cases of acute Q fever have been reported among US military personnel deployed to Iraq. May 2010- CDC issued a health advisory warning about the potential of Q fever among travelers returning from Iraq and the Netherlands. Q FEVER IN ANIMALS Animal Disease • • • Sheep, goats, cattle ▫ Often asymptomatic ▫ Reproductive failure Abortions Stillbirths Low birth weight Weak newborns Infertility Carrier state Other animal species ▫ Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds Morbidity and Mortality Prevalence information is limited Endemic areas 18 to 55% of sheep with antibodies 82% of dairy cattle with antibodies Death is rare MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE Prior to working with sheep The following should contact the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC) for a medical screening/risk assessment: Immunocompromised individuals and those with pre-existing heart valve conditions are at higher risk of infection and should be fully informed of the increased risks. Pregnant women or women who are considering becoming pregnant should also be fully informed of the increased risks. UEOHC Monday- Friday (8:30am-4:30pm) 919-966-9119 Exposure Procedures Percutaneous exposure (needlesticks, cuts, animal bites or scratches) Remove contaminated gloves and if possible, allow the wound to bleed freely for a minute. Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes and apply sterile gauze or a bandage, if necessary. Remove protective lab clothing and follow reporting procedures. Exposure Procedures • Mucous membrane exposure. ▫ ▫ ▫ Rinse tissue surface with copious amounts of water. Eyes will be irrigated for at least 5 minutes using the emergency eye wash station. Remove protective lab clothing and follow reporting procedures. Inhalation exposure Remove protective lab clothing and follow reporting procedures. Reporting Exposure Events • • • • Employees must be seen by UEOHC 919-966-9119 (M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm) for treatment and documentation of exposure immediately following the incident during work hours or on the next business day if the incident happens after hours. If the injury required first-aid after hours, go to the UNC Hospital Emergency Room. An Exposure Incident Report (Form 19) must be completed by the employee at UEOHC. EHS will also complete a report that includes how the incident was addressed. Reporting Signs and Symptoms of Exposure Employees experiencing any of the symptoms associated with exposure (even without an identified exposure incident) must report it to the PI, UEOHC, and EHS. If you have worked in the lab within the last two weeks of experiencing any of the symptoms associated with Q fever, report it to the PI, UEOHC, and EHS. Post Exposure Treatment/Testing If prophylactic antibiotic treatment is considered appropriate by clinic or ER medical staff, doxycycline is generally given for 2-3 weeks (acute) or doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine for at least 18 months (chronic) unless otherwise contraindicated. LABORATORY PROCEDURES PPE Biohazardous Waste Laboratory Standard Operating Procedure Safe handling procedures, including: Personal protective equipment Engineering controls Reporting injuries and occupational exposures Reviewed annually by PI, EHS, IBC, and employees Laboratory/Animal Housing Entry Don PPE Latex/nitrile gloves Tyvek (disposable jumpsuit) Bonnet Shoe covers Eye protection (lab) N95 or PAPR Laboratory/Animal Housing Exit Wash hands after removing gloves and prior to leaving area. Minimize the creation of droplets, splashes, aerosols, and dust Decontaminate work surfaces immediately following spills, elimination from sheep Sharps Precautions Needles should only be used when there is no other alternative Injection of animals and blood draws Do not break, bend, re-sheath or reuse syringes or needles. When needles are required, safe needle devices should be used Passive safety features recommended Needles & Sharps Precautions 40 Contaminated sharps must be placed in hard walled plastic containers labeled with the biohazard symbol as shown. When the container is no more than 2/3 full, place autoclave indicator tape over the biohazard symbol in an “X” pattern as shown. Containers must be placed in biohazard bag prior to autoclaving. Biohazardous Waste All biohazardous waste (including liquids) must be autoclaved prior to disposal. Place waste in autoclave bags. Autoclave tape over biohazard label. After treatment, seal bags with tape. Place in lined Rubbermaid container. Autoclaves must be tested weekly with a bioindicator to insure proper function. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION N95/PAPR Respiratory Protection Program Requirements 29 CFR 1910.134 Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace. Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators. Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators. Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators. Respiratory Protection Program Requirements 29 CFR 1910.134 Training of employees in respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations. Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing, any limitations on their use, and the maintenance of the respirator. Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Q Fever: Respiratory Protection PAPR respirators or N95 masks are required to enter the animal housing area and laboratory Annual training and respiratory clearance required (clearance is done at the UEOHC) Annual fit testing for N95 is required. Medical Surveillance Required to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator. Medical evaluation can be conducted through a questionnaire, and then through a medical examination if a positive response is received for certain questions. There is a physiological burden on employees that varies with the type of respirator worn, the job, the workplace conditions in which the respirator is used, and the medical status of the employee. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Biohazardous Spills Animal bedding Sheep urine, fecal material, blood Spill procedures are posted in the facility. Where is the spill kit located in your facility? Spills (Sheep body fluids, blood) Secure sheep. Assess personal exposure and remove & replace any contaminated gloves, coveralls or shoes, Use the disinfectant solution located in the facility or spill kit to carefully dilute the spill from the outside edges. Use an absorbent pad or paper towel to collect the spill. Dispose in biohazard bag. Spray and wipe the area once more with approved disinfectant. Discard of paper towels and contaminated PPE in biohazard bag. Wash your hands and don fresh PPE. Sharp objects must be handled by mechanical means (forceps, dust pan and squeegee). Spills- Sheep Waste • • • • • • • Once sheep are secured, don fresh PPE, if necessary. Place an absorbent pad/paper towel over the urine. Spray pad/paper towels with Vimoba. Gather the spill with paper towels. Discard in biohazardous bag. Spray and wipe the area once more with Vimoba. Discard of paper towels and contaminated PPE in biohazard bag. Wash hands and don fresh PPE. ▫ If sheep defecates, pick up with paper towels or absorbent pad, spray & wipe area with Vimoba, discard in biohazard bag, and don fresh PPE. Potential Exposure Employees involved in spills and accidents determined by PI and EHS to result in overt or potential exposures to infectious materials must be seen by UEOHC. Appropriate medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment are provided and written records are maintained. An Exposure Incident Report must be completed Injuries Requiring Emergency Medical Assistance Call 911 PREVENTION AND CONTROL Prevention and Control Ensure that new, sick, and animals about to give birth are kept separate from one another Monitor sheep’s behavior/health If you notice a difference in sheep’s appearance/behavior, report to DLAM personnel. Maintain sanitary conditions in sheep room and lab Clean and disinfect spills as they occur Pest management (tick prevention) procedures are in place Wash your hands after PPE removal and any animal work Q Fever as a Biological Weapon Extremely virulent A single bacterium can cause infection Highly resistant in the environment Aerosol transmission WHO estimates if 50 kg of C burnetii was released along a 2-km line upwind of a population of 500,000 - 150 deaths 125,000 cases of acute illness 9,000 cases of chronic illness Questions??? Contact EHS 919-962-5507