Understanding the risks of Q fever

31 July 2026

Dr Jeff Cave, Senior Veterinary Officer

At times, Q fever is contracted by people who may not have realised that they were at risk.

Q fever is caused by a bacterium called Coxiella burnetii. The disease was first identified in Queensland in the 1930s, but at the time scientists didn't know what caused it. It was named 'Q fever', with the 'Q' standing for 'query'.

Q fever is one of several diseases that are transmissible from animals to humans. Such diseases are known as zoonotic diseases.

Cattle, sheep and goats are the most common sources of infection in humans. Infection generally occurs through the inhalation of infected material.

Placental material or afterbirth is a particularly significant source of infection. Hence, strict hygienic practices should be followed around calving, lambing or kidding.

People may also become infected by contact with infected animals and their waste, and occasionally by ingesting unpasteurised milk.

Therefore, people who are in regular contact with livestock, such as abattoir workers, farmers, veterinarians, and others involved in handling livestock, are at the greatest risk of contracting Q fever.

The most common clinical signs of Q fever include headaches, fever and muscle pain.

This could be easily misdiagnosed as influenza. Therefore, if you are in a high-risk group and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it is worth discussing the possibility of Q fever with your GP.

Q fever is usually treatable with an appropriate antibiotic.

On occasion, Q fever sufferers can develop post-Q fever fatigue syndrome. Q fever can therefore be quite debilitating.

A vaccine is available to prevent Q fever. People at high-risk of exposure should consider vaccination.

If you’re an employer, Q fever vaccination should be incorporated into your occupational health and safety procedures to help protect staff.

Many people who contract Q fever are employed in short-term livestock handling roles or work in jobs that involve indirect contact with livestock. These workers are often not immunised. Employers and employees should carefully consider Q fever vaccination where there is a risk of exposure.

For further information on how the disease affects people, please contact your medical practitioner and for your animals, please contact your local veterinarian, an Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or Animal Health Office.

Media contact: Anna Fergusson

Phone: 0499 540 475