Considering Q fever when working with laboratory sheep.

The sheep (Ovis aries) is somewhat less common than smaller species in laboratory settings, but personnel who work with sheep or in a facility that houses sheep should be aware that certain zoonotic diseases are common in sheep. They should also know how to prevent transmission of zoonotic disease in facilities that house or work with small ruminants. Knowledge of diseases such as query fever (Q fever), which can cause severe human morbidity (and in some cases death), needs to be especially emphasized. In this paper, the author describes potential causes, transmission and manifestations of Q fever in humans and other animals and then discusses strategies for preventing the spread of Q fever.