• 1 January 1964
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 91  (11) , 573-+
Abstract
Serologic evidence resulting from surveys of cattle carried out in all provinces of Canada suggest that the rickettsia of Q fever is widespread, occurring in all but 3 provinces. The incidence of serologic reactivity in cattle is increasing in the western provinces and in Quebec. Repeat surveys will be necessary to determine trends in the remaining provinces. Isolations of Coxiella burnetii have been obtained from bovine milk in Ontario and Quebec confirming the identity of the inciting agent. All human cases of Q fever except 2 have occurred in the Eastern Townships of Quebec where the incidence in herds is high. Available evidence indicates that cattle infected with (C. burnetii were the source of infection of a previously unreported case which occurred in 1960 in the Eastern Townships. Serologic surveys of humans in Ontario revealed a low reactor rate.