Vaccination of cattle workers at risk of Q fever on the north coast of New South Wales.
BACKGROUND
Q fever is the most common zoonotic disease of livestock handlers and abattoir workers in rural Australia.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to measure the rate of pre-existing immunity to Q fever among cattle or saleyard workers on the north coast of New South Wales (NSW).


METHODS
Participants were screened for complement fixation (CF) antibodies and returned one week later for results when a dose of Q fever vaccine was given if serum and skin tests were negative.


RESULTS
Over a 24 week period 1417 persons were tested. Of these, 394 had positive CF antibodies, a positive skin test or both; 987 were vaccinated with Qvax; 3.1% were lost to follow up.


CONCLUSIONS
Over 27% of cattle workers had pre-existing immunity to Q fever, indicating this population is at significant risk of infection. General practitioners working in high risk communities should routinely test and vaccinate patients at risk of Q fever.
Q Fever Project, Mid North Coast Division of General Practice, New South Wales.
B
B
Hutson
R A
RA
Deaker
J
J
Newland
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001315:Australia; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000191:economics / Q000276:immunology*; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D011778:Q Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors
D000906:Antibodies; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines