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. 2023 May;70(3):238-247.
doi: 10.1111/zph.13019. Epub 2023 Jan 5.

A cross-sectional study of Q fever in Camels: Risk factors for infection, the role of small ruminants and public health implications for desert-dwelling pastoral communities

Peter Holloway  1 , Matthew Gibson  1 , Stephen Nash  2 , Tanja Holloway  2 , Jacqueline Cardwell  1 , Bilal Al Omari  3 , Ehab Abu-Basha  3 , Punam Mangtani  2 , Javier Guitian  1
Affiliations

A cross-sectional study of Q fever in Camels: Risk factors for infection, the role of small ruminants and public health implications for desert-dwelling pastoral communities

Peter Holloway et al. Zoonoses Public Health. 2023 May.

Abstract

Q fever represents an important 'neglected zoonosis', with high prevalences recorded across the Middle East region. Among rural desert-dwelling communities in the region, camel milk is largely consumed raw, due to perceptions of dromedaries as a uniquely clean livestock species mentioned in the Qur'an and Islamic hadith, while milk from other livestock species is usually boiled. As a result, camels present a unique public health threat among such communities from milk-borne pathogens, including Coxiella burnetii. In view of this, a cross-sectional study was conducted among dromedary herds in southern Jordan between September 2017 and October 2018, including 404 camels from 121 randomly selected herds. In addition, 510 household members associated with these herds were interviewed regarding potential high-risk practices for zoonotic transmission. Weight adjusted camel population seroprevalence for C. burnetii was 49.6% (95% CI: 44.7-54.5), with evidence of maternally derived immunity in calves ≤6 months old. Adjusted herd-level prevalence was 76.0% (95% CI 72.7-80.2). It was estimated 30.4% (144/477) of individuals consumed raw milk from infected herds monthly or more. Following multivariable logistic regression analysis, seropositive status in camels was found to be associated with increasing age, high herd tick burdens, keeping the herd together throughout the year including when calving, and owning larger (>50) sheep and goat flocks, with goats presenting a higher risk than sheep. Racing camel status was found to be protective. Socioculturally appropriate interventions aimed at raising awareness of potential risks associated with drinking raw camel milk, alongside appropriate livestock management interventions, should be considered.

Keywords: C. burnetii; Jordan; Q fever; camels; epidemiology; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Location of 121 camel herds sampled in southern Jordan October 2017 to October 2018 (due to local grazing movements there were three herds selected from the MoA list for Ma'an west that were sampled in the neighboring region, Tafilah. Results from these herds were attributed to Ma'an west)
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence among camel populations in southern Jordan, October 2017 to October 2018, stratified by age
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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