Why was Q-GAPS initiated?
Q fever is a disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii affecting humans and animals.
Q-GAPS (Q fever GermAn Interdisciplinary Program for reSearch) is an interdisciplinary and unique consortium from different disciplines with extraordinary expertise, competence and knowhow which will implement the “One Health” approach for Q fever. “One Health” is defined as a collaborative and trans-disciplinary approach - working at local, regional, national, and global levels - with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment.
Q-GAPS has committed itself to investigate unsolved questions relating to the epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, surveillance and control of Coxiella burnetii. All results obtained will be integrated into an interactive database and made available to the public. Also, Q fever guidelines will be provided to assist the public health service in detecting, monitoring and controlling Coxiella burnetii.
We also will invite practicing medical doctors, veterinarians, representatives from Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), representatives from Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) and those working in the field of public health to Q-GAPS symposia; in order to adapt the interactive database and the Q-fever guidelines to Public health requirements. A better exchange of information between the reporting systems TSN (veterinary medicine) and SurvStat (human medicine) is required, to gain better control of Q-fever in Germany. The Q-GAPS consortium will serve as an advisory role in assisting all parties involved with this issue.
