Q Fever Information

Q-Fever is a disease of Australian animals. People working in meatworks are prone to developing this disease. Interestingly Q-Fever was first identified in Queensland in the 1930's but it wasn't until the 1990's that an effective vaccine was made available to prevent this disease in meatworkers. The advent of the vaccine was a very important step in improving the health of meatworkers. This is because Q-Fever can cause a very serious illness that in its most severe forms can lead to crippling effects on the heart and liver and these effects in severe cases can be fatal. The vaccine was invented in Australia by an Australian company, CSL (no SEQUI) in conjunction with Professor Barry Marimon of South Australia. 

The vaccine is very effective, over 95 percent effective with just one injection ensuring a meatworker's safety for their lifetime. Regretfully the vaccination can have significant side effects if the meatworker has had Q-Fever previously. Whilst the side effects are never fatal it is important that they be avoided. This means that the Q-Fever vaccination process requires us to find out whether or not the person has had Q-Fever before and, because they will never get it again, avoid giving that person at risk of side effects a vaccination. The video will teach you what Q-Fever is, how it is contracted by the meatworker, what the symptoms of Q-Fever are, the efficacy of the vaccine and the process by which pre-testing is undertaken before the vaccine is safely given.