Queensland health experts have been mystified by an “unusual” spike in cases of Q fever, a nasty bacterial disease that has long plagued rural communities.
There have been 89 reported infections across the state so far this year, an increase of almost 90 per cent on the same time in 2023.
The surge in cases has sparked renewed calls for a more accessible and affordable vaccine.
What is Q fever?
Q fever spreads when people inhale air or dust contaminated with bacteria from the faeces or birth products of infected animals.
It is usually associated with the livestock industry but can be contracted while mowing the lawn or even from tick bites.
Townsville’s Public Health Unit director Dr Steven Donohue said the bacteria “can survive for a very long time” in dusty environments and could have debilitating consequences.
“Sometimes it’s mild, just like a flu, but often people get quite a severe fever that lasts for a long time,” Dr Donohue said.
“They’re really unwell, very tired, they can get rashes, joint pains, sometimes they get liver disease or kidney disease and end up in hospital.
“A small number of the cases actually become chronic … and cause abscesses inside the body, even turn up years later when your immune system is off-guard.”
Dr Donohue said the current case numbers were “unusually high” in light of the recent wet summer.
‘Not to be underestimated’
North Queensland manager of Kalamia Cane Growers, Allan Parker, knows all too well the lasting impacts of Q fever.
He fell ill more than two decades ago and spent five days in hospital after he started passing blood in his urine.
“I’ve been around animals all my life … so to actually pinpoint where I got it from, I’m not too sure,” Mr Parker said.
“It was a very devastating disease.”
He believes his health today is still compromised by catching Q fever and urged people in rural areas to get vaccinated.
“It’s not to be underestimated” he said.
New vaccine in development
Q-Vax is the only vaccination for Q fever in the world and is only available in Australia.
It is recommended for people aged 15 years and older whose work involves contact with high-risk animals such as abattoir employees, shearers, vets, and animal refuge workers.
But Dr Donohue said he would like to see a wider take up of the vaccine.
“At the moment, only the abattoirs with meat workers who are under health and safety regulations have to provide it,” he said.
Dr Steven Graves and his team at the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory have been tasked with creating a new and improved vaccine.
He said the current vaccine, while effective, was expensive and inaccessible.
“I would estimate only about 10 to 20 per cent of people who really need the vaccine can get the vaccine, and that’s a major accessibility problem,” Dr Graves said.
“To actually get someone vaccinated you’re probably looking [to pay] at least $350. Not everybody’s got that sort of money.
“The principle should be that vaccines like this, that are life-saving and crucial, should be free for Australians.”
Dr Graves said his lab, which received $1.87 million for trials in 2020, was preparing to test its vaccine on humans next year.
He hopes it will be available to the public, including children, in the next five years.
“It should be for everybody in rural and regional parts of Australia because they’re also at risk of Q fever,” Dr Graves said.
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