Two people in Danilovgrad are infected with Q fever, the Institute for Public Health (IJZ) announced.
"The Institute for Public Health of Montenegro, in accordance with its competences, at the end of July this year, after receiving information about the appearance of Q fever among animals in two farms, municipality of Danilovgrad, sent epidemiological teams to the affected farms with the aim of preventing people from getting sick, timely diagnosis and treatment of potentially ill persons (testing of exposed persons, education on prevention, distribution of educational material). Serological analyzes for all tested persons were negative for the causative agent of Q fever," according to the IJZ announcement published on the institution's website.
"Immediately after the last notification by the veterinary inspection about the occurrence of disease among animals in two more farms in the municipality of Danilovgrad, the teams of the Institute went to the field and in accordance with their competences, performed blood sampling of the exposed persons, distributed educational material and carried out education on prevention measures "The serological results of the two exposed persons indicate infection with the causative agent of Q fever. Both persons, at the time of testing, stated that they had symptoms corresponding to this disease in the previous month," said the institution.
The IJZ announced that in order to prevent people from getting sick, it is recommended to disinfect rooms where infected animals have stayed, wear protective equipment (masks, gloves, glasses) when performing tasks that involve contact with animals, their secretions and contaminated environment, heat treatment of previously unpasteurized milk for own needs, by cooking at boiling temperature and increased epidemiological surveillance,
"Also, in the municipality of Nikšić during 2024, Q fever was registered in animals in six different farms. The epidemiologic service of the Nikšić health center took measures within its competence, epidemiological surveillance was completed in four farms, and no cases of illness were registered among the exposed members of the farms. Surveillance in two farms is ongoing. Q fever in humans is a notifiable disease (according to the legal regulations of our country), surveillance is carried out continuously and individual cases of the disease among people are registered during 2024 to the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro Two cases of Q fever in humans were reported above, both were registered in June, one in Bijelo Polje and one in Podgorica," the announcement reads.
The IJZ said that the Rickettsia Coxiella burnetii is most often transmitted by airborne dissemination, and that the causative agent is found in dust from surfaces contaminated with placental tissue, birth fluids and excreta of infected animals in facilities where infected animals or by-products are processed, as well as in autopsy rooms. .
"Particles containing pathogens can be carried by wind over long distances (half a kilometer or more). It is also transmitted by direct contact with infected animals and other contaminated material, such as wool, hair, fertilizers and clothes of infected people," it added.
"Unboiled milk from infected animals, as well as dairy products made from raw milk from infected animals, can contain Q fever pathogens. One of the methods of suppressing the transmission of Q fever pathogens through milk and milk products is pasteurization of cow's, goat's and sheep's milk at a temperature higher than 63 °C for 30 minutes, or over 72 °C for at least 30-45 seconds.In general, in order to prevent infections, it is recommended that dairy products be made exclusively from pasteurized milk, as well as heat treatment of previously unpasteurized milk for personal use. needs, by cooking at boiling temperature," the announcement concludes.
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