Do you know someone that has been infected with Q-fever?
Q fever is an infectious disease that transmits from cattle, sheep and goats to humans and is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetti.
In animals, clinical signs of Q-fever include; abortion, stillbirth, retention of foetal membranes and pneumonia. Cattle are usually asymptomatic.
Shedding of C.burnetti in animals occurs in birth products, urine, faeces and milk. With transport of manure can lead to the organism being spread widely in the environment.
The organism can survive in dust for months to years.
Transmission to humans is usually through the respiratory route following inhalation of contaminated aerosols or dust.
Australia has one of the highest rates of human infection with Q fever worldwide.
Because of the association with livestock, farmers, abattoir workers, shearers and veterinarians are thought to at the highest risk of Q fever.
Other people at risk of Q fever through non-occupational, environmental exposures include:
- Family members of the at-risk occupational groups described above, through exposures to contaminated clothes, boots or equipment
- People living on or in close proximity to a high-risk industry (e.g. neighbouring livestock farms, stockyards housing cattle, sheep or goats,meatworks, land being fertilised by untreated animal manure)
- Visitors to at risk environments (e.g. farms, abattoirs, animal saleyards, agricultural shows)
- People living or working near livestock transport routes with the potential to be exposed to contaminated dust from the passing animals.
Clinical signs in humans vary from none to acute flu like symptoms (fever, chills, fatigue). 10-15% of acute cases develop a chronic syndrome “Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS.)”
Immunisation of those in high risk occupational groups is the most effective preventive measure against Q fever.
People who are at risk of Q fever through non-occupational, environmental exposures are also recommended for vaccination.
There is no vaccination available for use in animals in Australia.
Charles Sturt University is currently running a research project to learn more about the impacts of the illness and patient experience in achieving a diagnosis.
Veterinarian and PhD student Dr Tabita Tan is carrying out an online survey as part of the project. She wants to hear from people who have been infected with Q-fever so that they can take part in a questionnaire about their experience with the disease.
Dr Tan’s research is part of a wider, multi-disciplinary project ‘Taking the “Query” out of Q Fever’ that aims to improve understanding of Q Fever to develop policies that will limit the likelihood of a large and prolonged outbreak in Australia.
Anyone that has had Q-fever or have experience in caring for a family member with Q-fever are encouraged to participate in the online survey that can be found here https://www.research.net/r/Qfever
To find more information about Q-fever or to find a medical practitioner that can provide Q-fever testing and vaccination services in your area please use the link to the following website.
Home Page - Australian Q Fever Register
