NSW Health is urging people inregional and rural NSW, particularly parents, to take extra precautions againstQ fever as drought and windy conditions may raise the risk of the disease inthese areas.
Dr Vicky Sheppeard, DirectorCommunicable Diseases NSW Health, said people can be infected if they inhaledust containing dried animal secretions, which can be spread by winds.
"Q fever is abacterial infection carried by cattle, goats, sheep and other domesticated andwild animals, so people who work on the land are most at risk," Dr Sheppeardsaid.
"In these current dry, windyconditions, we’re reminding people, particularly parents, to take steps toprotect themselves and their children if they are out with mum and dad helpingto feed stock.
"It is important people wearpersonal protective equipment, such as a properly fitting face mask which canbe purchased from hardwares or pharmacies, and that they thoroughly wash theirhands."
Q feversymptoms often appear like a very severe flu, and include high fevers andchills, severe sweats, severe headaches, muscle and joint pains and extremefatigue. Chronic lethargy can remain for months afterwards.
Dr Sheppeard said a single dosevaccine is recommended for people who work in high risk occupations and anyoneover 15 years who has the potential to be exposed to Q fever.
"Q fever vaccineis not recommended for those aged under 15 at this stage, so it is veryimportant parents make their children wear protective clothing and equipment.
"For those over15, skin and blood tests are required before vaccination to make sure there isno previous exposure to Q fever bacteria."
The number of annual cases in NSWhas ranged from 181 to 263 in the last five years, with the highest number in2015, which was another dry year. Q fever cases mostly occur in the north andwest regions, affecting men aged 40 years and over.
The NSW Government has invested$475,000 to help protect farmers and other people in rural areas who work withanimals. This includes $275,000 for a Q fever education campaign and $200,000 for research into animproved vaccine for the bacterial infection.
NSW Health has partnered with theNSW Farmers’ Association and Country Women’s Association to raise awareness ofQ fever. NSW Health has created a GP education module through the AustralianCollege of Rural and Remote Medicine to help GPs recognise and prevent Q fever.More than 318 GPs have already enrolled in this module, and NSW Health hassubsidised it so that all NSW GPs can access it for free.
In addition to vaccination, thefollowing steps can protect against Q fever:
- Washing hands and arms thoroughly in soapy waterafter any contact with animals
- Wearing a properly fitting mask (ideally, arespirator available from hardware stores or pharmacies) when handling or disposing of animalproducts or when mowing or gardeningin areas with livestock or native animals
- Covering wounds with waterproof dressings andwearing thick gloves when handling ordisposing of animal products
- Wearing dedicated protective clothing such ascoveralls when working with high risk animals, animal tissues or animal products
- Removing and washingdirty clothing, coveralls, boots and equipmentin outdoor wash areasto prevent exposing to other household residents
- Washing animal urine, faeces, blood and otherbody fluids from equipment and surfaces and properly dispose of animal tissuesincluding birth by-products.
