Q fever campaign underway

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors this year have been visiting workplaces across the state talking about the risks of Q fever.

These visits are part of a campaign to increase awareness of the risks faced by workers who interact with livestock and promote free resources which focus on improving risk controls and legislative compliance duties.

Targeted industries include:

• beef, sheep and goat producers
• livestock transport operators
• saleyard owners and operators
• livestock agents
• meat processors.

Q fever is an infectious and potentially serious disease that can develop suddenly, be quite severe (acute illness) and may also cause long lasting (chronic) illness. It is the most commonly reported disease linked to animal exposure in Australia. Queensland has the highest rate, with an average of 222 notifications a year between 2016 and 2020. Q fever can also cause mild to moderate symptoms, so there may be many more cases that are not reported because they are undiagnosed.

Further information

Read more about Q Fever risk management or if you’d like to share examples of how you have successfully managed this issue at your workplace, drop us a line at industrystrategy@oir.qld.gov.au.

To find a Q fever vaccine provider or to register immune workers, contact the Q Fever Register on 1300 QFEVER (1300 733 837) or visit www.qfever.org.