Q FEVER INFORMATION

INFORMATION
WHAT IS Q FEVER?
Q fever is an infectious disease spread to humans by animals and caused by the bacterium Coxiella
burnetii.
The bacterium is transmitted to humans by direct and indirect contact with infected animals, animal
products or contaminated material. It is mainly spread from animals to humans via inhalation of
infected particles in the air.
Coxiella burnetii can infect both wild and domestic animals, and their ticks.
Cattle, sheep and goats are the main sources of human infection, but certain
wildlife (e.g. kangaroos), feral and domestic animals (e.g. camels, cats and
dogs), may also be implicated.
The illness in humans is usually flu-like, but may sometimes have serious and
long-lasting consequences.
In Australia, any case of Q fever needs to be reported to health authorities.

HOW DOES Q FEVER SPREAD?

Q fever is mainly spread from animals to humans via inhalation of infected particles in the air.
Other routes of infection include:
 direct contact with infected animals
 contact with infected animal products such as birth products (placenta), milk, urine, faeces and
hides.
 contact with contaminated material such as soil, grass, straw and clothes.
Cattle, sheep and goats are the main sources of human infection,
but certain native and feral mammals (e.g. kangaroos,
bandicoots, rats, horses, camels), as well as domestic animals
such as cats and dogs, may also be implicated.
Most infected animals do not show symptoms or get sick. They
can shed the bacteria in their urine, faeces (poo), milk, wool and
birth products which can subsequently contaminate surrounding
material such as soil, dust, grass, straw, clothes, hair. The
bacterium is highly infective and resistant, capable of
withstanding harsh conditions for long periods of time.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF Q FEVER?

Once exposed to the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, people may react to the infection in different ways.
Following infection by Coxiella burnetii, at least 50% of people show no symptoms.1,2 However, some
people experience ‘acute’ symptoms that are often described as being similar to having the ‘flu’.
In Australia, any case of Q fever needs to be reported to health authorities. Please see your doctor if
you think you have symptoms of Q fever.

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ACUTE Q FEVER
Acute Q fever symptoms may include:
 Fever that starts abruptly and can last several weeks
 Chills
 Sweating
 Severe headache
 Aching muscles and joints
 Extreme tiredness and confusion
 Nausea and diarrhoea
 Blurred vision or extreme sensitivity to light
 Weight loss
 Rash
Typical symptoms of acute Q fever appear 2-4 weeks after infection and in most cases disappear
without treatment. Symptoms can last up to 3-6 weeks.

CHRONIC Q FEVER
Chronic Q fever is a serious and long-lasting disease and occurs in up to 5% of acute Q fever
patients.3 It results from persistent infection in one or more parts of the body. It may develop months
or even years after the initial episode of Q fever, even in patients that did not have any symptoms to
start with and may take years to resolve. A common manifestation of chronic Q fever infection is
inflammation of the heart (endocarditis), which more commonly develops in people with certain heart
problems. However, individuals may also suffer from persistent infections occurring in the liver, bones
and other organs.

POST Q FEVER FATIGUE SYNDROME

Some patients with acute Q fever (up to about 15%) will go on to experience a post-Q fever fatigue
syndrome, where symptoms continue to persist for more than 12 months after symptoms first
appear.1,2 Symptoms associated with post-Q fever fatigue syndrome (extreme tiredness and other
symptoms), can last for years and have the potential to be highly incapacitating.

WHO IS AT RISK OF Q FEVER?

People at increased risk of contracting Q fever include those in direct contact or in close proximity to
infected animals, their products (such as faeces, urine, milk, wool & especially products of conception)
and contaminated material (such as dust, aerosols, soil, grass, straw, clothes).

People working with cattle, sheep, goats and their products (main sources of
infection). e.g. farmers, abattoir/meat workers, shepherds, animal
transporters, stockyard workers, dairy farmers & producers, shearers &
sorters, tanning/hide workers, vets & veterinary staff, agricultural staff.

People working with wildlife (e.g.kangaroos), feral or domestic animals (e.g.

camels, cats and dogs) and their products. e.g. dog & cat breeders, wildlife &
zoo workers, handlers, workers culling & processing kangaroos, vets &
veterinary staff.

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 People who live, work or visit at risk environments or areas in close proximity
to them. e.g. farms, saleyards, livestock transport routes.

People working with C. burnetii or laboratory animals. e.g. laboratory

personnel handling veterinary specimens.

HOW CAN YOU HELP PREVENT Q FEVER?

It is important to implement control measures to minimise the spread of Coxiella burnetii from infected
animals to humans. Preventative measures for Q fever include:

Vaccination can help prevent Q fever infection and may be recommended for those
who are at risk and are appropriate candidates for vaccination.

Washing hands and arms thoroughly in soapy water after handling animals or
carcasses.

Washing animal body fluids from the work site and equipment.

Keeping yard facilities for sheep and cattle well away from domestic living areas.

Proper handling of animal products and proper disposal of animal tissues, including
birthing products.

Minimising dust and rodents in slaughter and animal housing areas.

Removing protective and/or other clothing that may carry the bacteria before returning
to the home environment.

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 Limiting access to high risk facilities for those not vaccinated.

When working in at-risk environments, wearing disposable face masks that are
properly fitted (P2/N95 masks) to help filter small air particles and reduce the risk of
airborne transmission of Q fever.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information about Q-Fever, please visit https://www.qfeverfacts.com.au/ or speak to your
Induction Officer.

Reference: https://www.qfeverfacts.com.au/

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Approved By: Safety & Wellbeing Manager Issue Date: 07.12.2018 Revision Date: 25.02.2021 Revision No: 02