The seroprevalence of coxiellosis (Q fever) in Ontario sheep flocks

Abstract

A serological survey for Coxiella burnetii was undertaken on a randomly selected population of 103 Ontario sheep flocks. Twenty-two flocks had at least one positive ewe; seven flocks had two or more reactors. The positive flocks were geographically clustered northwest of Guelph. Crutch-clipping of the ewe's wool prior to lambing, and total confinement housing at lambing in winter and spring seemed to lower the probability of seroreactivity of the flock (p less than 0.05). The study suggests that sheep are not a major reservoir for Coxiella burnetii in Ontario.