A Nationwide Seroepidemiologic Study on Q Fever Antibodies in Sheep of Portugal

Abstract

An anti-C. burnetii seroprevalence of 11.4% (95% confidence interval 9.6-13.5) was found, with a clear distinction between the Center region with highest seroprevalence, and the rest of the territory. Sheep traditional farming is widely present in Portugal and is part of the cultural and gastronomical background of the country. This close proximity to small ruminants may contribute to the zoonotic transfer to humans.