Which microorganism is associated with exposure to farm animals or parturient cats?

Coxiella burnetii is the microorganism that is notably associated with exposure to farm animals, particularly cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as cats that have recently given birth. This organism is the causative agent of Q fever, a zoonotic infection that can be transmitted to humans through inhalation of contaminated aerosols or direct contact with infected animals or their products.

In agricultural settings, farmers and veterinarians are at particularly high risk due to their close contact with infected animals, especially during parturition when the risk of exposure is elevated due to shedding of the bacteria in birth fluids or placentas.

The other pathogens mentioned have different associations: Hantavirus is predominantly transmitted from rodent excreta and urine, Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia, is often linked to wild animals such as rabbits, and Chlamydophila psittaci is typically associated with birds (psittacine birds) rather than farm animals. The specific link of Coxiella burnetii to both farm animals and parturient cats makes it the correct answer in this case.