Q FEVER projection will be given a $475,000 injection with the announcement yesterday of new funding for protection and research from the state government.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard, with Bronnie Taylor, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier chose to kick off the campaign at the Sydney Royal Show urging farmers, veterinarians and rural workers to be vaccinated.
A Q fever education campaign has attracted $275,000 funding while a further $200,000 will be invested in research into an improved vaccine for the bacterial infection.
Mr Hazzard said working on the land was tough enough without being bedridden or even hospitalised for months on end due to this debilitating disease.
“Q fever is preventable through a lifelong vaccination so I strongly urge those at risk to ensure they are protected.”
Ms Taylor added that as a former rural nurse, she knew that prevention was the best cure.
“But the first step is awareness and we need to get the industry and community talking about Q fever transmission risks,” she said.
Director of Health Protection, NSW Health, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, said the research funding will assist the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, working with the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute at Camden, to develop an improved vaccine.
The current vaccine is not suitable for people aged under 15 and requires screening to prevent severe reactions in those who have had previous exposure to Q fever.”
