Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

Which disease is primarily contracted through inhalation of contaminated dust?

1. Q fever

2. Rabies

3. Rocky Mountain spotted fever

4. Raynaud's syndrome

The correct answer is: Q fever

Q fever is primarily contracted through inhalation of contaminated dust, particularly from the droppings of infected animals such as livestock. Coxiella burnetii, the bacterium responsible for Q fever, is highly resilient and can survive in dust for extended periods. When these dust particles are aerosolized, they can be inhaled by workers, leading to infection. This mode of transmission emphasizes the importance of controlling dust exposure in environments where animals are raised or where their byproducts are handled. In contrast, rabies is primarily transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals, while Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted via tick bites. Raynaud's syndrome is related to blood flow issues and does not involve infectious agents or inhalation processes. Therefore, the nature of transmission plays a crucial role in identifying Q fever as the correct answer.