Since the steady rise in human cases which started 2007, Q fever has become a major public health problem Netherlands with 2,357 notified year 2009. Ongoing research confirms that abortion waves on dairy goat farms are primary source of infection for humans, primarily affecting people living close (under 5 km) to such farm. To reverse trend last three years, drastic measures have been implemented, including large-scale culling pregnant goats infected farms.

The Netherlands is again facing a sharp increase in Q fever notifications, after the unprecedented outbreaks of 2007 and 2008. most affected province Noord Brabant has high density large dairy goat farms, farms with abortion waves have been incriminated. Mandatory vaccination small ruminants started should an effect 2010. A multidisciplinary research portfolio expected to generate better knowledge about transmission additional control measures.

Background. In early 2009, a dairy-goat annex care farm in South Limburg, the Netherlands, reported 220 Coxiella burnetii–related abortions 450 pregnant goats. These preceded human cases and occurred region that was Q-fever free before providing unique quasi-experimental setting for investigating regional transmission patterns associated with point source. Methods. Index-farm residents/employees, visitors, their household contacts were traced screened C. burnetii. Distribution of community...

Studies have shown a link between Q-fever positive farms (QFPFs) and community cases of human Q-fever. Our study is the first to investigate potential role contaminated land-applied manure in Q-fever, based on large set nationwide notification farm management data. Time application disease onset geographically linked notified coincided with incubation period Proximity land parcels predicted better than proximity QFPFs (80% vs. 58%, 0–5 km 2009). Incidence around decreased distance, but not...

Variant of concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant (B.1.1.7) was the dominant strain in Netherlands between March 2021-June 2021. We describe three primary school outbreaks due to using whole genome sequencing with evidence large-scale transmission among children, teachers and their household contacts.All described were investigated by South Limburg Public Health Service, Netherlands. A case defined as an individual a real-time polymerase chain reaction test or antigen positive for...

Abstract Background The Dutch province of Limburg borders the German district Heinsberg, which had a large cluster COVID-19 cases linked to local carnival activities before any were reported in Netherlands. However, Heinsberg was not included as an area reporting or community transmission per national case definition at time. In early March, two residents from long-term care facility (LTCF) Sittard, town located close vicinity tested positive for COVID-19. this study we aimed determine...

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections have been reported in fully vaccinated individuals, spite of the high efficacy currently available vaccines, proven trials and real-world studies. Several variants concern (VOC) proffered to be associated with breakthrough following immunization. In this study, we investigated 378 recorded between January July 2021 compared distribution genotypes identified 225 individuals frequency circulating community lineages region South Limburg (The Netherlands) a...

Background Source identification in areas with outbreaks of airborne pathogens is often time-consuming and expensive. We developed a model to identify the most likely location sources pathogens. Methods As case study, we retrospectively analyzed three Q fever Netherlands 2009, each suspected exposure from single large dairy goat farm. Model input consisted only residential addresses, day first clinical symptoms, human population density data. defined spatial grid fitted an exponentially...

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) living in congregated settings have increased risk of COVID-19 infection mortality. Little is known about variant B.1.1.519 spike mutation T478K, dominant Mexico. We describe a linked SARS-CoV-2 outbreak three IDD facilities the Netherlands.

Historical survey data suggest that the seroprevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in general population The Netherlands decreased from more than 40% 1983 to 2·4% 2007, just before start large 2007-2010 Q fever epidemic. To assess whether sharp decline was real, we performed a cross-sectional study using historical samples. We tested samples contemporary commercial indirect immunofluorescence assay. In plasma south 1987, found an age- and sex-standardized 14·4% (95% confidence...

Q fever is rarely reported in children/adolescents. Although lower reporting rates are commonly attributed to milder disease and subsequent underdiagnosis infected children/adolescents, pertinent evidence scarce. We present data from a large, well-defined single-point source outbreak of fill this gap.We compared (A) testing notification children/adolescents who were 0-19 years age with those adults 20+ October 2009; (B) serological attack acute the after on-source exposure on farm's...

In 2009, Coxiella burnetii caused a large regional outbreak of Q fever in South Limburg, the Netherlands. Here, we announce genome draft sequence human C. isolate, strain NL-Limburg, originating from this outbreak, including brief summary genome's general features.

In an attempt to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, many governments decided close public venues including bars, restaurants, and nightclubs during pandemic, making it difficult study how transmission occurs in these environments. this study, we were able gain insight into dynamics SARS-CoV-2 16 city Maastricht using a combination epidemiological whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data period 2 weeks 2021, when temporarily reopened Netherlands. This led subsequent rise cases community following...

Background Following outbreaks in other parts of the Netherlands, Dutch border region South Limburg experienced a large-scale outbreak human Q fever related to single dairy goat farm 2009, with surprisingly few cases reported from neighbouring German counties. Late chronic fever, recent spikes newly detected cases, is an ongoing public health concern Netherlands. We aimed assess scope and scale any undetected cross-border transmission counties, where individuals unknowingly exposed may carry...

We develop a novel approach to study an outbreak of Q fever in 2009 the Netherlands by combining human dose-response model with geostatistics prediction relate probability infection and associated illness effective dose Coxiella burnetii. The spatial distribution 220 notified cases at-risk population are translated into smooth field dose. Based on these symptomatic cases, predicts median 611 asymptomatic infections (95% range: 410, 1,084) for reported population; 2.78 1.86, 4.93) each case....

From early 2009, the Dutch region of South Limburg experienced a massive outbreak Q fever, overlapping with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic during second half year and affecting approximately 2.9% 300,000 population. Acute fever shares clinical features other respiratory conditions. Most symptomatic acute infections are characterized by mild symptoms, or an isolated febrile syndrome. Pneumonia was present in majority hospitalized patients 2007-2010 epidemic. Early empiric doxycycline, guided...

Abstract Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections have been reported in fully vaccinated individuals, spite of the high efficacy currently available vaccines, proven trials and real-world studies. Several variants concern (VOC) proffered to be associated with breakthrough following immunization. In this study, we investigated 378 recorded between January July 2021 compared distribution genotypes identified 225 individuals frequency circulating community lineages region South Limburg (The...

Abstract BackgroundVariant of concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant (B.1.1.7) was the dominant strain in Netherlands between March 2021 – June 2021. We describe three primary school outbreaks due to using whole genome sequencing with evidence large-scale transmission among children, teachers and their household contacts. MethodAll described were investigated by South Limburg Public Health Service, Netherlands. A case defined as an individual a real-time polymerase chain reaction test or...

There has been a lot of discussion about the role schools in transmission severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, where many countries responded with school closures 2020. Reopening primary Netherlands February 2021 was sustained by various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) following national recommendations. Our study attempted to assess degree regional implementation and effectiveness these NPIs South Limburg, Netherlands. We approached...

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of understanding facilitators for disease transmission. Events such as Carnival, characterized by large gatherings and extensive social interactions, have potential to become 'super spreading events' respiratory infections. This paper aims assess impact on virus transmission, providing crucial insights development effective public health strategies.

Abstract Background : The Dutch province of Limburg borders the German district Heinsberg, which had a large cluster COVID-19 cases linked to local carnival activities in February, before any were reported Netherlands. However, Heinsberg was not included as an area reporting or community transmission per national case definition at time. In early March, two residents from long-term care facility (LTCF) Sittard, town located close vicinity started experiencing respiratory symptoms and...