Q fever
State and Territory information:
Caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, Q fever symptoms take between 2 and 3 weeks after infection to show.
Q fever is an occupational risk hazard for people working in the meat and livestock industries, but outbreaks can occur in people who are close to infected animals in stockyards, feedlots and meat processing plants. The infection is spread by inhaling droplets or dust contaminated by infected animals’ urine, milk, faeces and slaughter offal.
The symptoms of Q fever appear suddenly and include:
- high fever;
- sweats;
- rigours (severe shivering and shaking);
- coughing;
- nausea
- extreme tiredness;
- muscle and joint pain;
- severe headaches;
- sensitivity to lights;
- weight loss.
Q fever is a vaccine preventable disease.
Q fever vaccine is funded in select States under the Immunise Australia Program.
Contact your healthcare provider, doctor and/or State or Territory Health Department for more details.
For technical information refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC).
Page last modified: 08 April, 2008