Though not impossible, it is not considered likely that people with the illness can spread it to other people. In goats, Q-fever is often seen in outbreaks rather than individual cases. All of the reasons for this aren't known but stress is an important influence on the occurrence of such illnesses. The mixing of animals from different backgrounds, new surroundings, or other such disruptions can cause the bacteria to be shed and make animals more vulnerable to infection. These can include fever, headache, chills, sore muscles, loss of appetite, dry cough, chest pains and sweats.
Symptoms vary depending upon whether the bacteria was inhaled or swallowed.
There are no records of previous cases of this disease in humans in this province. There are a very few records of infection in cattle, usually as a result of a survey or other incidental testing. As this rarely causes illness in cattle there is usually no reason to look for evidence of exposure in these animals. As Q-fever spreads from animals to people, it is usually those people who work directly with them that would be at higher risk. This would include sheep and goat dairy farmers, slaughterhouse operators and veterinarians.