Dairy farmers with fertility issues in their herds encouraged to test for Q fever

Farmers are being encouraged to test for Q fever if they are experiencing a range of fertility issues in their dairy herds.

This follows recent diagnostic data from 274 Q Test BTM (bulk tank milk) PCR samples¹, 217 of which have been submitted to date in 2023, identifying that 50% of the herds tested were positive for Q fever.

A new Q map from Ceva Animal Health highlights the incidence of Q fever in dairy herds throughout the UK based on the Q Test data.

Despite Q fever being endemic in GB dairy herds for some years^1,2, Q fever has been historically underestimated and awareness of the disease amongst farmers and the related farming industries has been low.  While Q fever has the potential to impact herd productivity, the disease is frequently overlooked as other infertility causes are often investigated first, which can lead to economic losses for farmers in the meantime.  The disease, which is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, is also zoonotic which makes it a health risk to those in contact with infected animals including farmers, farming families, vets and abattoir workers.

Infected dairy cattle generally do not display clinical signs, however they include severe hyperthermia and rapid pneumonia in the acute phase (inflammatory stage) with spontaneous recovery over seven days.  In the chronic phase Q fever primarily affects reproductive performance in cattle and presents a serious threat to productivity.  Signs reported in Q Test samples¹ that tested positive include infertility (79%), abortions (71%), metritis/endometritis (36%), retained placenta (15%), and pregnancy loss/still borns/weak newborns (11%).

Tom Angel BvetMed PGDipVCP MRCVS, veterinary surgeon at Synergy Farm Health, comments: “The bulk milk Q fever testing we have been undertaking in our practice has returned positive results in approximately 80% of farms sampled.  The challenge for vets is assessing the impact this disease is having on farm. In some cases, where other causes have been excluded, signs such as increased pregnancy losses and still birth rates have been identified.  However, on other units more subtle, but still costly effects, such as increased days open and increased transition disease may be attributable to Q fever.  Working out the best strategy for on-farm control is where supplementary diagnostics, such as serological testing of animals in different management groups, and the cost calculator from Ceva’s Q audit has allowed us to guide the best vaccination protocols on different farms in a cost-effective manner.  Where a vaccination protocol has been implemented, early results have been positive with apparent reduction in pregnancy loss and still births on these farms. Whilst it is too early to assess any long-term impact of vaccination, these preliminary findings are encouraging and should increase the awareness and engagement from farmers and vets with this disease.”

Katherine Timms BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS, ruminant veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health, adds: “The Q map clearly demonstrates that Q fever is endemic throughout the UK and it will be updated on an ongoing basis. Diagnosis can be challenging, as it is similar to many other diseases in dairy herds, however farmers should ask their vet to investigate the disease if cows in their herd are experiencing fertility issues; these include unexplained abortion and still birth, high levels of metritis and endometritis, or if there is unexplained poor fertility performance such as repeat breeding, higher calving to conception rate and embryo loss.”

For further information please contact your local farm vet.  To view the Q map or for further information on Q fever go to – www.qfever.co.uk.