Coxiella burnetii is endemic to the US, ubiquitous and persistent in the environment, and nearly impossible to eliminate from herd and decontaminate the environment.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only on farms with small ruminants
• D. Only in the Northeast

Answer: (A)

Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, is widely present in the United States and can persist in the environment for long periods. It is shed by infected cattle, sheep, and goats, especially during birth, and can become airborne in dust, making exposure possible beyond obvious infected herds. The organism has a hardy form that resists drying, heat, and many common disinfectants, so contaminated dust and soil can remain infectious for extended times. Because infection can be maintained in multiple animal reservoirs across wide areas and is not easily eradicated from the environment, eliminating the organism from herds and fully decontaminating environments is not feasible in practice. Vaccination and strong biosecurity can reduce risk, but they do not achieve complete elimination. This combination of wide geographic presence, environmental persistence, and multiple animal reservoirs makes the statement true.