Q fever in New South Wales Department of Agriculture workers.
A cross-sectional survey of staff of the New South Wales Department of Agriculture for prior exposure to Q fever was conducted using the complement fixation test, indirect immunofluorescent antibody test, a delayed hypersensitivity skin test, a standard questionnaire, and a supplemental history, with the aim being to determine the proportion of employees that have been in contact with Q fever and the jobs that pose the greatest risk of exposure to the disease. Of 829 employees, 89 (10.7%) tested positive, with those handling livestock being more likely to have been exposed to Q fever than employees in low-risk occupations. This difference reached statistical significance (P < 0.01) when employees with other risk factors for exposure to Q fever were excluded. Veterinarians, stock inspectors, and regulatory officers had the highest risk of previous exposure. This study confirms that Q fever is a disease related to occupations that involve handling livestock, and it provides a basis upon which to promote vaccination of agricultural workers.
Casolin
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Health Services Australia Ltd., Sydney, Australia.
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors