C. burnetii, the<unk> -causing agent The pathogenic agent is found worldwide, with the exception of New Zealand. The bacterium is extremely sustainable and virulent: a single organism is able to cause an infection. The common source of infection is the inhalation of contaminated dust, contact with contaminated milk, meat, or wool, and particularly birthing products. Ticks can transfer the pathogenic agent to other animals. Transfer between humans seems extremely rare and has so far been described in very few cases. Some studies have shown more men to be affected than women, which may be attributed to different employment rates in typical professions. "At risk" occupations include: * Veterinary personnel; * Stockyard workers; * Farmers; * Sheep shearers; * Animal transporters; * Laboratory workers handling potentially infected veterinary samples or visiting abattoirs; * People who cull and process kangaroos; and * Hide (tannery) workers.
Q fever
Leptospirosis
Dysentery
Dengue fever
Enterotoxemia
Malaria
Fever of unknown origin
Pneumonia