Shock in the Gaia Zoo: Q-fever forces the euthanasia of a reindeer!

Shock in the Gaia Zoo: Q-fever forces the euthanasia of a reindeer!

Kerkrade, Niederlande - in the Gaia Zoo in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, a female forestry animal was put to sleep due to an infection with Q-fever. This decision was made on June 6, 2025 after the bacterium Coxiella Burnetii was demonstrated by the animal. This marks the first documented case of Q-fever in reindeer in the facility. It was particularly worrying that the animal in question was pregnant, which significantly increased the risk of further complications, since Q fever could be problematic, especially in the case of births or miscarriages. Numerous hygiene measures have already been launched to protect the health of the remaining animals and visitors.

The zoo managers are in close exchange with the Dutch Authority for Food Safety (NVWA) and with the local health service (GGD). In a meeting on June 4, further measures were coordinated to minimize potential risks. The employees have been wearing protective clothing since May 28, and access to the enclosures of the forest rates has been severely restricted. In order to contain the outbreak, all forest animals were also vaccinated - a procedure that is new in this zoo. Visitors can still not see these animals to minimize the risk of infection.

risks for visitors and measures

The Health Department of the Rhein-Erft district has warned visitors to the facility. Five days when visitors potentially exposed to increased risk have been identified: April 29, May 11, May 18, May 21 and June 1. Young animals were born on these days. People who were in the zoo on these days should immediately contact their doctor for symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches or muscle pain. Despite the incidents, the risk of the general public is estimated to be low, but the health department recommends particularly endangered groups of people for caution.

The transmission of the Q-fever bacterium is mainly through the inhalation of dust, which is contaminated with infected animal crap or other products, as the CDC explains. There is currently no vaccination against Q fever in the United States, and symptoms can easily be confused with other diseases. The most common signs are fever, fatigue and muscle pain. The therapy often consists of antibiotics, with many infected people remain asymptomatic or recovered without specific treatment.

future steps and prevention strategies

In the course of these events, the zoo took comprehensive hygiene measures and emphasized that a visit was still secure. All necessary and recommended measures have been initiated to ensure that both animals and humans remain protected. The authorities will continue to monitor and regularly inform the public about new developments.

The Q-Fieber crisis in the GAIA Zoo illuminates the challenges associated with animal husbandry and the protection of public health. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what further steps are taken to ensure the health of animals and visitors. The zoo is determined to take all the necessary measures to ensure security.

For more information about Q fever and its prevention, interested parties can visit the website of the CDC: CDC about Q-Fieber . In addition, t-online.de rhein-erft-kreis.de comprehensive reporting on the current measures in the zoo.