Q fever management program
State and Territory information:
What is Q fever?
The national Q fever management program
Australian Q fever register
Queensland, South Australia and Victoria
More information
What is Q fever?
Q fever is a serious disease with approximately 600 cases notified each year in Australia. The acute illness may last 1-6 weeks and is flu-like with fever, chills, sweats, severe headache, muscle pain, cough, weakness and nausea. Though rare, complications may involve the liver, heart and bones. A small number of people may develop post Q fever fatigue syndrome which can last for a number of years.Q fever is transmitted through infected animals' urine, milk, faeces and birth products. People become infected when they inhale contaminated droplets from these products, or by inhaling dust from contaminated materials.
Not all animals carry and transmit the disease to humans. The animals that are the main source of the disease are kangaroos, wallabies, cattle, sheep, dogs, cats and goats. Of these animals, cattle, sheep and goats are often the most significant source for human infection.
Q fever is primarily an occupational disease of workers from the meat and livestock industries. A new worker in the meat processing or livestock industry may particularly be at risk as they may not have had previous exposure to animals. Other populations at risk of infection include sheep, dairy and cattle livestock farmers, dairy workers, veterinarians, pelt and hide tanners, and shearers.
The National Q fever management program
This Program commenced in 2001 and was due for completion on 30 June 2004. Several jurisdictions have completed the Program, however, Victoria and South Australia have extended the Program until 30 June 2006 and Queensland has extended it until 30 June 2007.The Program is a specialised screening and vaccination program that seeks to reduce the burden of disease associated with Q fever. It is the first national Q fever vaccination program of its kind in the world and is part of the Government's commitment to servicing the health needs of people in Australia's rural and regional communities.
In Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, the Program provides specially trained immunisation providers to undertake skin and blood tests to assess previous exposure to Q fever and then vaccinate those without immunity one week later. The Program covers abattoir workers, those contracted to abattoirs, sheep shearers, sheep, dairy and beef cattle farmers and their employees.
Importantly, the Program has significantly raised awareness of Q fever amongst rural general practitioners and provided the appropriate infrastructure to support ongoing Q fever screening and vaccination.
Australian Q fever register
The Australian Q fever register provides general information about Q fever and stores information about the Q fever immune status of individuals.Queensland, South Australia and Victoria
The National Q fever management program has now been completed in most States and Territories, with the exception of Victoria and South Australia where the Program will run until 30 June 2006 and in Queensland where the Program will run until 30 June 2007.More information
Q fever vaccine - common questions
Q fever management program - poster (PDF 188 KB)
Q fever management program - fact sheet
Contact the following State or Territory Health Departments for more details.
QLD: (07) 3234 1500
SA: 1300 364 100
VIC: 1300 882 008
The following websites provide useful information:
The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC)
Department of Health South Australia
Department of Health Western Australia
Department of Human Services Victoria
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)
Q-Fever Vaccine Supply (CSL Limited)
Queensland Department of Primary Industries
Page last modified: 08 April, 2008
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