Q fever among domestic animals, veterinary services act preventively

The Veterinary Administration continues to undertake all measures for the timely detection of new cases of Q fever, it was announced from that Government department.

In the territory of Bijelo Polje and Žabljak, the infectious disease Q fever was registered in goats, sheep and cattle from January to March.

It is a disease that affects domestic animals, and infected sheep, goats and cattle are the main sources of infection for humans.

Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of the disease in sheep, goats and cattle on seven farms in the territory of the municipalities of Bijelo Polje and Žabljak.

Q-fever was last registered in the territory of Montenegro in animals in 2007 in the territory of Nikšić

"The Veterinary Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, together with the veterinary inspection of the Administration for Inspection Affairs, in cooperation with the field veterinary service in Bijelo Polje and the Specialist Veterinary Laboratory, continues to take all measures for the timely detection of new cases of the disease, as well as its prevention and suppression and eradication," the Ministry announced.

They appealed to the keepers of goats, sheep and cattle to respect the measures that were ordered and to follow the recommendations they received from the veterinary service.

"Given that it was an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans, and that requires a quick response from professional services, measures were taken for its rapid suppression and eradication in order to prevent the possible further spread of the disease," the Ministry stated.

They noted that in the territory of the Municipality of Žabljak, where Q fever was diagnosed on one farm, after the implemented measures, there are no new cases.

"Continuous and intensified surveillance of the veterinary service in the area of ​​Sušica, Kovren, Sipanje, Bistrica and Godijevo in the Municipality of Bijelo Polje is still in place in order to protect people's health, preserve livestock and prevent the possible spread of this disease," the announcement reads.

Q-fever was last registered in the territory of Montenegro in animals in 2007 in the territory of Nikšić.