Q Fever found in county, could be risky for humans

EPHRATA - Grant County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny reported to the May 11 meeting of the Board of Health that several goats in the Moses Lake area have been found to have Q Fever.

He told the board Q Fever is potentially dangerous in humans and is hard to detect since symptoms are similar to influenza-like illness and tuberculosis.

According to Brzezny, there is a farm near Moses Lake with more than 100 show goats which have been experiencing difficulty with births. They've been tested for Q Fever and, so far, 16 percent have tested positive.

Brzezny said there is a possibility that other goats in the county have been infected. No humans have been infected, and the medical community has been alerted to the situation.

Q Fever causes miscarriages and stillbirths, Brzezny reported.

In another ongoing public health battle, Brzezny reported the Pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak detected in recent months continues. He said 22 cases have been confirmed, nine are suspected and one is probable. He added that about $53,000 has been spent confronting the outbreak.

- Staff report