Dutch Authorities Plan Goat Cull to Prevent Q Fever Outbreak

Up to 35 000 goats are to be slaughtered in the Netherlands in an attempt to prevent an outbreak of Q fever. Photo by BGNES

Dutch health authorities have announced that they will slaughter 35 000 goats in an attempt to prevent an outbreak of Q fever spreading to humans.

The fever is caused by a bacterium that may pass from goats and sheep to humans. It causes flu-like symptoms, and can, in rare cases, prove fatal. Q fever has been discovered in 55 Dutch farms so far, and six farm workers have died this year.

Most of the farms affected by the cull are in the southern Brabant province of the Netherlands. The slaughter will account for about half of their total livestock.

The Dutch authorities had launched an obligatory animal vaccination campaign at the start of 2009, but a shortage of available vaccine meant the entire country could not be covered.

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