Q fever, which can spread from animals to humans, likely underreported in Alberta

Some Alberta health experts say there needs to be more research into Q fever, a disease that can spread from farm animals to humans causing flu-like symptoms and at times, hospitalization.

Microbiologist Craig Jenne doesn't want to blow the threat out of proportion.

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"This is not going to be the next Ebola or anything like that," Jenne tells CBC News.

But he says it is likely underreported.

Q fever is an infectious fever caused by the bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii which causes abortions and early births in animals.

In people, the flu-like symptoms often requires hospitalization.

"We're actually finding a lot of things that we used to think were common cold virus or influenza and now we're saying, 'Oh wait a minute, that one is Q fever,' and as a result the number of cases is going up."

Jenne says Q fever is not difficult to spot in animals.

"If you end up with a large number or a large percentage of pregnant animals delivering early, that may be a tell-tale sign you have this bacterial infection in your herd or in your flock."

Stan Houston, a professor with the school of public health at the University of Alberta, says while consumers are not at risk, more information is needed to tackle the spread of the fever.

"I think we might have a better idea of whether any kind of response is necessary, if we did know more about the prevalence of the infection in the province," Houston said.

Both researchers say it's important to make sure animal pens have good air flow and don't stay damp.

Areas where animals have given birth should also be sterilized.

Houston says about four to five people are diagnosed with the fever each year but the actual number is likely higher.

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