Report of an Outbreak of Q Fever at the National Institute of Health

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Abstract
In an epidemiological study of 47 persons involved in a laboratory outbreak of Q fever all had visited one building where fever was under active study within 28 days of onset of illness. A total of 317 persons were studied including workers and visitors to the building, contacts and others of the Institute. Previous exposure to Q fever and inoculations with Rocky Mountain spotted fever vaccine reduced the incidence of infection in laboratory workers. Out of 142 employees and 55 visitors to the build ing, 44 and 3, respectively, showed evidence of Q fever. From attendance data the incubation period varied from 13 to 18 days and the outbreak was correlated with the prepn. of yolk sac antigens in the rickettsial unit. The unsuspected resistance of Riekettsia burneti to chemical agents, e.g., formalin, and manipulations in antigen prepn. were considered as possible factors in the outbreak. Guinea pig excreta were also suspected.