The improving state of Q fever surveillance. A review of Queensland notifications, 2003–2017

Authors

  • Sarah Tozer Centre for Children’s Health Research, Queensland Paediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory, Lady Cilento Research Precinct, South Brisbane, Queensland ;Children’s Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland;The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, Queensland
  • Caitlin Wood Centre for Children’s Health Research, Queensland Paediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory, Lady Cilento Research Precinct, South Brisbane, Queensland ;Children’s Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland;The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, Queensland ;The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science, Gatton, Queensland
  • Damin Si 4. Communicable Diseases Branch, Prevention Division, Department of Health, Queensland Government
  • Michael Nissen Children’s Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland5. Director of Scientific Affairs & Public Health, GSK Vaccines Intercontinental, Singapore ;
  • Theo Sloots Centre for Children’s Health Research, Queensland Paediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory, Lady Cilento Research Precinct, South Brisbane, Queensland ;Children’s Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland
  • Stephen Lambert Children’s Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2020.44.48

Keywords:

Coxiella burnetii, Q fever, Queensland, surveillance, notifiable disease

Abstract

Q fever is a notifiable zoonotic disease in Australia, caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii. This study has reviewed 2,838 Q fever notifications reported in Queensland between 2003 and 2017 presenting descriptive analyses, with counts, rates, and proportions. For this study period, Queensland accounted for 43% of the Australian national Q fever notifications. Enhanced surveillance follow-up of Q fever cases through Queensland Public Health Units was implemented in 2012, which improved the data collected for occupational risk exposures and animal contacts. For 2013–2017, forty-nine percent (377/774) of cases with an identifiable occupational group would be considered high risk for Q fever. The most common identifiable occupational group was agricultural/farming (31%). For the same period, at-risk environmental exposures were identified in 82% (961/1,170) of notifications; at-risk animal-related exposures were identified in 52% (612/1,170) of notifications; abattoir exposure was identified in 7% of notifications. This study has shown that the improved follow-up of Q fever cases since 2012 has been effective in the identification of possible exposure pathways for Q fever transmission. This improved surveillance has highlighted the need for further education and heightened awareness of Q fever risk for all people living in Queensland, not just those in previously-considered high risk occupations.

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Published

15/06/20

How to Cite

Tozer, Sarah, Caitlin Wood, Damin Si, Michael Nissen, Theo Sloots, and Stephen Lambert. 2020. “The Improving State of Q Fever Surveillance. A Review of Queensland Notifications, 2003–2017 ”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 44 (June). https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2020.44.48.

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Vol. 44 (2020)

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Original article

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