Rise in Q fever meat plant cases

The first cases were confirmed earlier in July

The number of confirmed cases of the rare Q fever illness has risen following an outbreak at a Stirlingshire meat processing plant.

NHS Forth Valley said that 28 meat workers at Scotbeef at Bridge of Allan were found to have the infection.

On 20 July it confirmed that 11 workers had the illness.

The authority added that it expected more laboratory-confirmed cases to come to light as the results become available.

Muscle pain

Q fever, a flu-like illness diagnosed by blood test, only shows a positive result two to four weeks after its onset.

The condition, caused by a bacterium called Coxiella burnetti, first emerged at Scotbeef on 20 July, when 11 cases were confirmed.

On Tuesday, NHS Forth Valley said there were 24 cases.

The infection is usually passed to humans through the faeces, urine or milk of goats, sheep or cows.

It can also spread if people inhale dust that contains particles of infected animal tissue.

Within a few weeks of becoming infected a person will experience a high fever, severe cough, headaches and muscle pains. However, many will fight off the infection without needing treatment.