1. Q Fever Dr Keat Teo (mbbs, Bmedsc, cs) Moora Health Centre
Dalwallinu Medical Centre

2. No conflict of interest

3. History Mid 1930s, first recognised in Queensland.
Named ‘Query Fever’ initially due to unknown cause, becomes Q fever now
Caused by Coxiella Burnetti

4. About Febrile illness. Very similar to Influenza (Flu)
Zoonotic disease (ie. Spread from animals to humans)

5. Potential reservoirs Feral mammals in Australian bush Camels Horses
Cats
Dogs
Foxes
Rabbits
kangaroos

6. Transmission to human beings
Direct or indirect contact with infected animals, or products from these animals.
C. Burnetti is shed in
Urine
Milk
Faeces
Birth Products (in particularly high numbers)

7. At risk population Livestock rearing Meat processing Shearing Abattoir
Farm workers
Q fever is by no means restricted to those working directly with cattle, sheep and goats !

8. An effective vaccine against Q fever has been available since 1989 ( Q-VAX )

9. Why vaccinate? Most cases, acute illness lasts 1-6 weeks
striking loss of weight (6-12kg)
Q fever fatigue syndrome – 20%. Can lasts for 5-10 years
Hepatitis
Pneumonitis
endocarditis

10. Why vaccinate?
Q fever notification has reduced substancially since vaccination programs!
First introduced in abattoirs in , and later more widely in rural community in 2001 – 2006
Reported cases from 800 in 2002 to 300 in 2008

12. Who should NOT receive Q fever Vaccine
History of Q fever
Previous vaccination
Pregnant
Known hypersensitivity to Egg proteins or other components of the vaccine
Severe Local Abscess

13. Pre- Vaccination Screening
Skin prick test
Blood test
Vaccine can be given if both negative

14. Vaccination process (1 week, 2 visits)
Consent Pre-vaccination screening Screening result vaccination
Day 1
Day 7

15. The screening results and vaccination status will be updated to the Australian Q fever register

16. Common adverse reactions
Frequency
Local tenderness
48%
Local erythema
33%
Local oedema
0.6%
Fever ( defines as >38 C)
0.2%
Headache 9%
Other (aching joints; swollen glands; flu-like symptoms; feeling faint; itching and induration at injection site )
15%
Later reactions ( e.g. coincidental viral respiratory tract infections )
1.3%

17. Rare adverse reactions
Frequency
Dizziness
Very rare (< 1/10,000)
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
Uncommon ( <1/100 , >=1/1000)
Muscle aches
Uncommon
Joint aches
Very rare
Injection site abscess
Rare ( < 1/1000 and >= 1/10,000)
Chills, chronic fatigue

18. If interested please contact Moora Health Centre
Speak to Jeanette, our lovely staff Nurse
Australian Q fever register

19. Acknowledgement Australian Q fever register
CSL Biotherapies. A guide to Q fever and Q fever vaccination

20. Questions ?