The serologic prevalence of Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) complement-fixing antibodies in the Peninsular bighorn sheep of Southern California.

Q fever is a rare illness in the Southern California desert. During the past 34 years only 6 patients have been diagnosed with the disease at the Eisenhower Medical Center, a referral center for much of the desert and surrounding mountains. In all but 2 instances, Q fever was identified in patients who have been in contact with imported domestic sheep who are brought to the desert to graze and lamb in the fall and winter.

Q fever in the Southern California desert: epidemiology, clinical presentation and treatment.

Despite the absence of a natural reservoir for Q fever in the desert of Southern California, six cases have been identified during the past 32 years. During that period of time, two areas have been used by northern sheep ranchers from Idaho and Wyoming to import sheep to an area in the Coachella Valley through 1985. Thereafter, because of housing development, the sheep area was moved to Blythe along the Colorado River.