NSW Health has reported two clusters of Q fever infection in pet industry staff in recent weeks.

People working with animals have an increased risk of getting Q-fever due to contact with sick animals. While vets and vet nurses are most at risk, groomers who work in veterinary clinics.  Groomers, Boarding Kennel staff, Animal Transport, Shelter staff and Retail staff are also at risk if they work with sick pets, clean up after pets, or are in areas that have reported Q fever outbreaks. This includes most rural and regional areas.

Most staff are not aware of the increased occupational risk of this disease, and so have not been vaccinated. While the vaccine and skin testing is not government funded, costs are tax deductible for most at-risk occupations including the pet industry.

Q fever is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii that can cause a severe flu-like illness in people. If not treated, up to one in ten people can develop chronic-fatigue-like illness and other ongoing health problems.

While main disease sources are farm animals, in fact Q fever is spread to humans from a wide range of animals including domestic pets (e.g. dogs and cats) and wildlife (e.g. wallabies and kangaroos).

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(Source: adapted, from BoardTalk Dec 2018)