{"id":363743,"date":"2025-08-18T16:42:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T06:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=363743"},"modified":"2025-08-18T16:43:39","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T06:43:39","slug":"farmers-push-for-q-fever-focus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/08\/18\/farmers-push-for-q-fever-focus\/","title":{"rendered":"Farmers Push For Q Fever Focus"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Q Fever is usually transmitted to humans via cattle, goats and sheep although researchers now believe it could also be spread to residents living near cattle transport routes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 18, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

AgForce and the Q Fever Interest Group have joined forces to push for urgent government funding to reduce the rates of Q fever in Australia.<\/p>\n

Q fever is a flu-like illness caused by a bacterial infection, which typically spreads to humans from animals such as cattle, sheep and goats.<\/p>\n

Australia has one of the highest rates in the world of this debilitating disease.<\/p>\n

AgForce says Queensland accounts for about half of all Australia\u2019s cases of Q fever, with research showing a Queenslander is eight times more likely to be diagnosed than someone from NSW.<\/p>\n

Queensland Health infectious diseases expert Robert Horvath said increased research funding to develop a new vaccine was urgently needed to address the concerning rise in Q fever cases.<\/p>\n

\u201cLess than 10 per cent of infections with Q fever are diagnosed, most are missed,\u201d Dr Horvath said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been witnessing a largely persistent increase in case numbers in the past decade.<\/p>\n

“Last year 873 Australians were diagnosed, and we are on trend to crack more than 1000 diagnoses this year. That would be the most cases of Q fever since 1992.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEarly intervention and diagnosis of Q Fever is critical to reduce the progression of the illness.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut unfortunately, only a small proportion of people with chronic Q fever are diagnosed, and if it\u2019s not treated quickly, it can become a chronic condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

AgForce Policy Director Ruth Thompson said one of their biggest concerns was how difficult chronic Q fever was to manage in regional, rural and remote locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019re really seeking is immediate funding to subsidise the existing Q fever vaccine,\u201d Dr Thompson says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cost of Q-Vax is hundreds of dollars which is stopping some people from getting the vaccination, even though it\u2019s desperately needed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe really implore the government to better fund this and provide subsidised vaccination options , particularly for anyone who could potentially be exposed to Q fever.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also need more GPs available to administer this vaccination because that\u2019s a barrier as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Horvath says a public awareness campaign alongside increased training for doctors would also reduce the risk of deadly complications.<\/p>\n

\u201cA University of Queensland research study in progress suggests there is a link between Q fever and living near a cattle-transport route, which is worrying because that involves no actual occupational exposure, and highlights the need for better treatment and prevention for a wider population,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome cases are severe, with admissions to ICU or death. Meningitis is not rare with this, however people rarely test for it, and instead treat with ineffective agents.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the existing Q-Vax vaccine is highly effective, it has several drawbacks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • There is a high risk of allergic reaction<\/li>\n
  • Pre-pathology is required before the vaccine is administered<\/li>\n
  • The cost is prohibitive (between $300-$400) and involves multiple doctor visits<\/li>\n
  • The tyranny of distance to access doctors is a significant barrier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u201cThe development of a new vaccine without the ‘reactogenicity’ of the current Q-Vax vaccine would eliminate the need for the complicated pre-testing process and would enable boosters every 10-20 years to ensure life-long protection,\u201d Dr Horvath said.<\/p>\n

    \u201cA vaccine like this could potentially have a global market which may generate revenue for Australia as well as cement Australia as a medical technology leader for future investments.”<\/p>\n

    Dr Horvath said an Australian researcher in Geelong was in the early stages of developing such a vaccine but was seeking $1.4 million to progress it to human trials.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cWe cannot let such a potentially significant medical breakthrough for such a devastating disease fall over because of a lack of funding,\u201d Dr Horvath said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    AgForce and the Q Fever Interest Group have joined forces to push for urgent government funding to reduce the rates of Q fever in Australia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":4888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[172,3,36],"tags":[1551,1134],"yoast_head":"\nFarmers Push For Q Fever Focus - southburnett.com.au<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"AgForce and the Q Fever Interest Group have joined forces to push for urgent government funding to reduce the rates of Q fever in Australia.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/08\/18\/farmers-push-for-q-fever-focus\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Farmers Push For Q Fever Focus - 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