title: Prevalence of markers of Q fever exposure in the Kimberley, Western Australia.
abstract: Although a large pastoral industry exists in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, there is no previously published information about the prevalence of immune markers for Q fever exposure in this region's population. This paper identifies the prevalence of, and factors associated with, positive immune markers of Q fever, and reports the uptake of Q fever vaccination by eligible subjects in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Data regarding Q fever risk-factors were obtained using a standard questionnaire. Immunity and previous exposure to Q fever were assessed using both serology and a skin test, in accordance with accepted protocol. Fifty-nine subjects underwent Q fever pre-vaccination testing. The prevalence of a positive skin and/or blood test, indicating past exposure was 66 per cent (95% CI 52%-78%). After controlling for age and having lived on a farm at any time, employment in the pastoral industry was the only factor significantly associated with being skin and/or blood test positive (OR=24.6, 95% CI 3.0-204). Acceptance of vaccination was high, with 75 per cent of eligible subjects undergoing vaccination. The high prevalence of immune markers for Q fever in the Kimberley in this sample indicates that the disease is present in the region, despite the last recorded case being in 1986. Ensuring that Q fever vaccination is readily accessible to pastoralists, abattoir workers and other at-risk groups is a challenge that needs to be met by these industries and health services of the region.
authors.affiliation: Kimberley Public Health Unit, Derby, Western Australia. makho@bigpond.com
authors.forename: Donna B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.forename: Max K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Bulsara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers