Figure 1Notified cases of human Q fever in Korea, 2006–2011. Gray bars indicate chronic cases and white bars indicate acute cases.
Figure 2Monthly distribution of 47 cases of acute Q fever in Korea, 2006–2011.
Table 1General characteristics of Q fever patients in Korea, 2006–2011
|
|
All cases (n = 65)
|
n
|
% |
Sex |
Male |
57 |
87.7 |
|
Female |
8 |
12.3 |
Age (y) |
<20 |
1 |
1.5 |
|
20–29 |
6 |
9.2 |
|
30–39 |
11 |
16.9 |
|
40–49 |
11 |
16.9 |
|
50–59 |
20 |
30.8 |
|
≥60 |
16 |
24.6 |
Occupation |
Livestock raiser |
5 |
7.7 |
|
Veterinarian |
2 |
3.1 |
|
Slaughterhouse worker |
2 |
3.1 |
|
Agricultural farmer |
6 |
9.2 |
|
Others |
50 |
76.9 |
Inhabitant area |
Urban |
44 |
67.7 |
|
Rural |
21 |
32.3 |
Region |
Seoul |
6 |
9.2 |
|
Busan |
0 |
0 |
|
Daegu |
10 |
15.4 |
|
Incheon |
3 |
4.6 |
|
Gwangju |
1 |
1.5 |
|
Daejeon |
1 |
1.5 |
|
Ulsan |
0 |
0 |
|
Gyeonggi |
16 |
24.6 |
|
Gangwon |
3 |
4.6 |
|
Chungbuk |
4 |
6.2 |
|
Chungnam |
7 |
10.8 |
|
Jeonbuk |
2 |
3.1 |
|
Jeonnam |
0 |
0 |
|
Gyeongbuk |
4 |
6.2 |
|
Gyeongnam |
7 |
10.8 |
|
Jeju |
1 |
1.5 |
Table 2Distribution of exposures for Q fever infection among the investigated patients, 2008–2011
Risk factors |
All cases (n = 35)
|
N |
% |
Animal contact |
15 |
42.9 |
Cattle |
7 |
20.0 |
Deer |
4 |
11.4 |
Goat |
3 |
8.6 |
Horse |
1 |
2.9 |
Pig |
1 |
2.9 |
Unspecified |
2 |
5.7 |
Unpasteurized milk |
0 |
0 |
Visiting animal farm |
7 |
20.0 |
Birthing animals |
6 |
17.1 |
None |
19 |
54.3 |
Table 3Distribution of symptoms and signs among the investigated patients with Q fever, 2008–2011
|
All cases, n (%)
|
Acute infection n = 28 |
Chronic infection n = 7 |
Fever |
25 (89.3) |
5 (71.4) |
Myalgia |
19 (67.9) |
0 (0.0) |
Asthenia |
15 (53.6) |
2 (28.6) |
Skin rash |
1 (3.6) |
1 (14.3) |
Cough |
4 (14.3) |
0 (0.0) |
Headache |
7 (25.0) |
1 (14.3) |
Dizziness |
5 (17.9) |
0 (0.0) |
Nausea |
6 (21.4) |
0 (0.0) |
Vomiting |
2 (7.1) |
0 (0.0) |
Diarrhea |
2 (7.1) |
0 (0.0) |
Chill |
14 (50.0) |
4 (57.1) |
Sweating |
5 (17.9) |
1 (14.3) |
Splenomegaly |
3 (10.7) |
0 (0.0) |
Hepatomegaly |
1 (3.6) |
0 (0.0) |
Pneumonia |
3 (10.7) |
0 (0.0) |
Hepatitis |
6 (21.4) |
1 (14.3) |
Endocarditis |
1 (3.6) |
2 (28.6) |