In 2024, 45 per cent of the Q fever cases in Victoria were in Gippsland.
This statistic led to a one-year vaccination program in 2025 that has just been extended for two years.
A high number of agricultural workers in the dairy industry were among the three outbreaks in 2024.
Outbreaks of Q fever in all dairy regions were also higher in 2024, compared to previous years.
About half of the cases in Gippsland were reported among people in high-risk occupations for Q fever, such as farm workers, abattoir workers and those whose roles include contact with infected animals or animal products.
Calving seasons in the dairy industry proved a period for more outbreaks of Q fever, when exposure to birthing products and waste from infected animals is highest.
Fortunately, GippsDairy has gained additional funding to extend a Q fever vaccination program for the next two years.
The vaccination program is available to people aged 15 years and over. Pre-vaccination screening is required to ensure people haven’t already been exposed to the disease.
Q fever primarily spreads from inhaling air or dust contaminated with bacteria from birth fluids, blood or waste from infected animals, especially during birthing, slaughtering or butchering processes.
Q fever also spreads by direct contact with infected animal tissue or fluids on a person’s broken skin.
Environments where livestock are housed, or where animal waste is managed, pose a high risk of exposure to airborne particles carrying the bacteria.
In the latest health information, the bacteria can also spread by consuming unpasteurised milk from infected animals.
GippsDairy executive officer Karen McLennan told Dairy News Australia that the organisation has received additional funding for Q fever vaccinations because of increased diagnoses in Gippsland.
“Vaccination remains the most effective method to prevent Q fever,” Karen said.
“This year, funding from the Livestock Biosecurity Fund enabled Gippsland GP clinics to vaccinate 200 dairy farm workers and owners.
“The Livestock Biosecurity Fund subsidised the screening and vaccination program for 200 people.
“The screening and vaccination program has now been extended for two years, with additional funding from Worksafe Victoria.”
Karen said the GippsDairy board recognised that high staff turnover discouraged farmers from paying for workers to be vaccinated, and the cost of vaccination was also a barrier for individuals.
Those reasons led the board to lobby effectively for funding to subsidise the screening and vaccination program.
“Worksafe Victoria, under its workplace hazards program, recognised the value of subsidising Q fever vaccinations in 2026 and 2027,” Karen said.
Nambrok dairy farmer Jason Tharle knows the devastating impact of Q fever firsthand.
Jason milks 1300 cows and employs nine staff.
After contracting Q fever 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 was stuck on the couch and couldn’t get off,” Jason said.
“I had to run the farm from the living room.
“It was like a really bad fever. I was drained of energy — it was like I’d lost all energy completely.
“It was fever, sweats and a massive headache. The headache was the big one [symptom].
“It got to the point where my eyes started going yellow and my skin went yellow. That was the disease shutting my liver down.”
Q fever 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.
Jason said he thinks he contracted Q fever while calving-down a herd of infected cows. He continues to experience ongoing health effects.
Gippsland Region Public Health Unit public health physician Shereen Labib is urging 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 working in a high-risk occupation.”
She 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.”
The GRPHU has been working with primary health providers, the community and agriculture sector, including GippsDairy, to improve awareness about Q fever.