Q fever outbreak during the Czech Army deployment in Bosnia.

An epidemic of Q fever was identified among soldiers from the Czech Republic serving in the U.N. Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzogovina in 1997. There were 26 serologically confirmed infections, or 4.6% of those exposed. There were 14 cases of febrile illness and 12 subclinical infections. Prodromal symptoms of malaise, headache, backache, and fatigue were followed by fever > or = 39 degrees C with an intermittent course. Physical findings were unremarkable except in five cases with radiographically confirmed pneumonia. Cases were treated with doxycycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ceftriaxone and supportive care. Q fever occurred at four U.N. Stabilization Force bases with the highest incidence at Dolna Ljubija (attack rate 9.4% vs. 2.3% at other locations (risk ratio = 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7-5.9; p < 0.05). A sheep farm with active lambing was located 100 m from the base. Helicopter operations at a nearby landing zone may have generated infectious environmental aerosols and may have been a cause of the Q fever outbreak.