Are You At Risk Of Q Fever?

 

What is Q Fever?

Q fever is a severe, acute febrile illness, which is a major problem in Australia and around the world. It is a zoonotic disease (i.e. spread from animals to humans) caused by the organism Coxiella burnetii.

Cattle, sheep and goats are the main reservoirs for infection in humans – although bandicoots, kangaroos and dogs also can be infected. Several species of ticks are infected and parasitise bush animals.

Human beings are infected with C burnetii by direct or indirect contact with infected animals, or products from these animals. Infected animals shed C burnetii in:urine,milk, faeces and birth products (in particularly high numbers). The commonest route of infection is via the respiratory tract after inhalation of contaminated aerosols (fine droplets or dust) generated during parturition, or during the slaughtering process. Soil and dust in animal holding areas may be contaminated with the organism from infected birthing animals, and the infected dust may be carried on work clothing, hair, straw, and other fomites, or on working dogs.

One infected, 40% of of patients develop Acute Q fever, which is a severe flu like illness. Patients may have liver and lung involvement as well as neurological manifestations. Whilst the initial acute illness resolves in 2 to 6 weeks, return to full health may be slow in many patients. Some 64% have headache, joint and muscle pain, unusual fatigue, night sweats, mood changes and loss of libido during the next 6-12 months. Some 10 to 30% of patients with Acute Q fever go on to develop Chronic Q fever. Chronic Q fever can take one of three forms:

(i) Post Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS): fatigue and disability lasting beyond a year and frequently more than 5 to 10 years.

(ii) Q fever endocarditis: infection and damage to the heart valves which may lead patients to require open heart surgery to have damaged valves replaced.

(iii) Continuing granulomatous infection: areas of infection in bones, liver, testes

or other organs.

Who is at risk of Q fever?

Q fever is principally an occupational infection in Australia in certain groups, particularly workers in the livestock rearing and meat processing industries and in their dependent trades. However, individuals in the community may be infected – e.g. by direct or indirect airborne infection from parturient animals, visits to stock saleyards, exposure to animal transporters, or residence near feed lots or abattoirs.

Examples of persons at risk of Q fever

Abattoir workers

Farm workers

Veterinary personnel

Shepherds

 Livestock transport workers

Shearers

Wool sorters

Pelt and hide tanners

Stockyard workers

Staff in veterinary microbiology labs

Maintenance engineers, electricians, plumbers, etc in risk environments

 Dairy workers

Visitors to at-risk environments – e.g. research workers, teachers, school students,

sales people, etc

Should I have a Q fever vaccination?

The main way of preventing Q fever is through vaccination. An effective vaccine against Q fever (Q-VAX) has been available since 1989.

If you fall into one of the at risk categories described above, a Q fever vaccination is recommended for you. Ideally, vaccination should occur at least 2 to 3 weeks before the person starts working in an at-risk environment (as the risk of infection is highest in the first few years).

Of particular note:

●     Women entering an at-risk occupation should be advised to seek Q fever vaccination before considering pregnancy – to avoid possible risks to the foetus (foetal infection/death).

●     Persons with cardiac abnormalities are at increased risk of Q fever endocarditis and should be offered vaccination.


Pregnant women and children should not receive Q fever vaccination.

What does a Q fever vaccination entail?

Q fever vaccination requires two visits to Pioneer Health spaced 7 days apart.

At the first visit the doctor will undertake a pre-vaccination screening to ensure that you have not already been exposed to Q fever either through infection and screening. This is achieved via an interview, a blood test and a skin test (, which involves a small injection of dilute vaccine into your skin). It is very important for the doctor to ensure that you have had no previous exposure to Q fever, as vaccination of previously exposed patients can lead to severe adverse reactions like significant swelling at the vaccination site.

At the second visit the doctor will interpret your blood test and skin test. It is important that the second visit occurs 7 days after the first visit, in order to allow reliable interpretation of the skin test. If the doctor has confirmed that you have no previous exposure to Q fever, you will receive the Q fever vaccine via a subcutaneous injection.

The Q fever vaccine is strongly protective with an estimated vaccine efficacy of 83-100%. Duration of immunity is unknown, but is believed to be in excess of 5 years. You will never require a booster of the Q fever vaccine. Reactions to the vaccine are usually minor and include tenderness and redness at the vaccination site. You will be provided with a comprehensive list of potential vaccine adverse reactions prior to vaccination.

How much does Q fever vaccination cost?

The cost of Q fever vaccination is $345 which is payable at the first consultation and includes:

Skin test solution

Vaccine

Blood test

First consultation

Second consultation

If the vaccine cannot be administered, because you have had previous exposure to Q fever, a refund of $110 will be made. As it is important that the skin test is read at 7 days, if this second consultation is missed further costs may be incurred.

Please note that some employers may bear the cost of the vaccination.

How do I book for a Q Fever Vaccination?

To book a Q fever vaccination please ring our reception team on (08) 9842 2822.