| q fever--california, georgia, pennsylvania, and tennessee, 2000-2001. | q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium coxiella burnetii. the most common reservoirs are domesticated ruminants, primarily cattle, sheep, and goats. humans acquire q fever typically by inhaling aerosols or contaminated dusts derived from infected animals or animal products. its highly infectious nature and aerosol route of transmission make c. burnetii a possible agent of bioterrorism. although up to 60% of initial infections are asymptomatic, acute disease can manifest as a relat ... | 2002 | 12403408 |