Q fever is an infectious disease that is spread from animals to humans.

Q fever can cause long-term complications including chronic fatigue which can last for many years and heart disease.

People who work with animals, particularly cattle, sheep and goats, or animal products are at a higher risk of Q fever.

There is an effective vaccine that can protect against Q fever.

You must be tested before you can receive the vaccine.

Q fever can be treated with antibiotics.

Q fever is a disease caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii bacteria. It is mainly spread to humans from cattle, sheep and goats, but can also spread from other domestic and wild animals such as kangaroos, camels, rodents, cats, dogs, birds and wallabies. The bacteria can stay in the environment for long periods of time and survive disinfection and harsh conditions. This means dust, hay and other small particles may also carry the bacteria.

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There is a safe and effective vaccine, called Q-Vax ®, which gives a high level of protection against Q fever. The vaccine takes approximately 15 days to be effective. People should avoid high risk areas during this period or undertake additional preventative measures as listed below. The vaccine is not routinely recommended for children under 15 years of age, pregnant women or those with a known egg allergy.

It is highly recommended for workers at risk of Q fever to be vaccinated before starting work. Employers should arrange vaccination with Q-Vax ®, for workers in high risk occupations. Refer to WorkSafe Q fever guidance note for further advice for employers.

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Many people with Q fever have no symptoms. Some people may have a flu-like illness and symptoms can include:

Some people with Q fever may also develop hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs).

Symptoms usually start 2 to 3 weeks after being infected with the bacteria but can sometimes start from as early as 4 days or as many as 6 weeks.

Q fever can spread from animals to humans by:

  • breathing in bacteria in the air or dust during:
    • animal birthing
    • animal slaughter, skinning and meat processing
    • herding
    • shearing and wool processing
    • work with animal manure
    • transport of infected animals
    • veterinary procedures
  • contact with animal faeces, urine or birth products
  • contact with contaminated wool or hides, or presence during slaughtering
  • drinking unpasteurised (raw) milk from infected cows, sheep and goats which may carry a risk of infection
  • infection can also occur through direct contact with infected animal tissue or fluids on broken skin – for example, through cuts with contaminated knives or needle-stick injuries when working with animals.

Q fever is rarely spread from person-to-person.

People who work with animals, animal products and animal waste are most at risk of Q fever.

Q Fever fact sheet for Agriculture workers