ZAGREB, Feb 22 (Hina) - Four patients, hospitalised earlier this month at the epidemiological ward in the hospital in the southern city of Zadar, are suffering from Q fever, according to results of laboratory tests conducted by the
Croatian Public Health Institute.
ZAGREB, Feb 22 (Hina) - Four patients, hospitalised earlier this
month at the epidemiological ward in the hospital in the southern
city of Zadar, are suffering from Q fever, according to results of
laboratory tests conducted by the Croatian Public Health
Institute. #L#
The blood tests of these four patients, which have been twice
carried out in 14 days, show that the patients are positive to Q
fever, an epidemiologist, Bernard Kajic, told Hina.
The existence of this type of the fever can be confirmed only after
blood tests are conducted twice, he explained.
The Zadar epidemiological ward has so far received 27 patients with
similar symptoms. Another 18 patients, who are believed to have
caught Q fever, are treated in Split. Six patients with similar
problems are at hospital in Sibenik.
Most of those who caught this infection are workers employed in the
construction of the Sv. Rok-Ledenik section of the Zagreb-Split
motorway. According to a report broadcast by the Croatian
Television on Saturday evening, a wider area of Obrovac is believed
to be the focus of the infection.
Q fever, caused by a rickettsia (Coxiella burnetii) is a mild
illness characterised by fever, headache, muscular pains and
pneumonia. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the primary reservoirs of
C. burnetii. Infection has been noted in a wide variety of other
animals, including other breeds of livestock and in domesticated
pets. Infection of humans usually occurs by inhalation of the
organisms of Coxiella burnetii from air that contains airborne
barnyard dust contaminated by dried placental material, birth
fluids, and excreta of infected herd animals.
(hina) ms