Agriculture workers in Gippsland who have contact with cattle, sheep, or goats are being urged to get vaccinated against Q fever as the region continues to record high rates of infection.
This includes dairy farmers, stock agents, livestock transporters, shearers, wool sorters and abattoir workers.
Family members and others living with at-risk workers are also vulnerable due to potential exposure through contaminated clothing or equipment.
In 2024, Gippsland reported 45 per cent of all Q fever cases in Victoria, making the region the state's highest rates of the disease in the past decade.
Nambrok dairy farmer Jason Tharle knows the devastating impact of Q fever first hand. After contracting it in 2016, he was unable to work for months while recovering from a severe form of the disease.
"I couldn't work, it was that bad. I had to run the farm from the living room, I was stuck on the couch and couldn't get off," Mr Tharle said.
"It was like a really bad fever, I was drained of energy with fever, sweats and a massive headache.
"It got to the point where my eyes started going yellow and my skin went yellow. That was the disease shutting the liver down."
Q fever is a bacterial disease transmitted from animals to humans. It poses an occupational health risk for anyone working with animals, animal products and animal waste.
Q fever is spread by inhaling air or dust contaminated by birth fluids, blood or waste from infected animals.
It can cause severe flu-like symptoms including fever, drenching sweats, headaches, muscle and joint pain and extreme fatigue. In rare cases, the disease can affect the lungs and liver.
About 10 per cent of people develop chronic fatigue-like symptoms which can last for years.
Mr Tharle understood he contracted Q fever while calving-down a herd of infected cows, and years later, he still experiences ongoing health effects.
Gippsland Region Public Health Unit public health physician Shereen Labib urged eligible workers to protect themselves with vaccination, available through GPs for people aged 15 and over.
"Vaccination is the best form of protection, and it is safe and highly effective," Dr Labib said.
"It is very important to let your doctor know if you are in a high-risk occupation."
Dr Labib said Q fever could be diagnosed with a blood test and treated early with antibiotics to reduce the severity and risk of long-term complications.
"Washing hands and arms thoroughly with soapy water after any contact with animals and wearing a properly fitted P2 mask and gloves can also reduce the risk of infection," she said.
The GRPHU has been working with primary health providers, the community and agriculture sector, including GippsDairy, to improve awareness about Q fever.
Between now and the end of March, GippsDairy is partnering with three Gippsland GP clinics to offer 200 subsidised Q Fever testing and vaccinations. This has been made possible through a
grant received through the Victorian Livestock Biosecurity Fund (Agriculture Victoria).
Accessing Q Fever testing and vaccination requires two appointments that are one week apart. The first appointment involves a skin and blood test to check whether Q Fever antibodies are already present.
At the second appointment, skin and blood test results will be assessed to understand if the vaccination is needed. If the antibodies are already present, the person will have already experienced Q Fever and will not need to be vaccinated.
Under this project, the maximum out of pocket expense for each person being tested and vaccinated (regardless of the clinic you attend) will be $125. This cost will be less if you do not require the vaccination.