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At a glance
- Vaccine preventable – check who’s eligible
- Nationally notifiable disease
About Q fever
Q fever is a highly contagious bacterial disease. It is spread by infected animals and contaminated dust.
Many people don’t get any symptoms, but some people develop serious complications and longer-term effects.
Why it matters to public health
Although most cases are mild, Q fever can be serious. It can cause long-term health problems.
Q fever fatigue syndrome can affect people’s quality of life and ability to do their day-to-day activities.
Chronic Q fever can make people unwell for months or years, and requires long-term medical support.
Infection during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the fetus.
The risk of Q fever is higher in people who work with animals, including in farming, veterinary work and meat processing. Outbreaks in these settings can have major impacts.
Because of this, we:
- work with colleagues in the animal and environmental sectors at the national and state and territory levels to ensure a One Health coordinated approach to monitoring and reporting of Q fever
- plan for how to manage major outbreaks.
Symptoms
If you’re looking for advice about your own health or treatment options, see healthdirect or speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Our role is to provide public health advice – information and guidance that helps prevent disease, protect communities and improve wellbeing at a population level.
At least half of the people who get Q fever don’t have any symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
- fever
- sweats
- headache
- fatigue
- muscle pain
- dry cough.
Most people recover within a few weeks, but serious complications can include:
- pneumonia
- inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- liver disease
- central nervous system complications.
Some people develop Q fever fatigue syndrome, which causes long-term, persistent fatigue.
A small proportion of infected people develop chronic Q fever, which can be serious.
Infection during pregnancy can lead to:
- miscarriage
- stillbirth
- premature birth
- low birth weight.
Read more about the diagnosis and treatment of Q fever.
healthdirect’s symptom checker can help you decide whether to see a health professional.
Onset of symptoms
Symptoms usually start between 1 and 3 weeks after getting infected.
How it spreads
Animals shed the bacteria into the environment through their body fluids, including their:
- birthing materials
- milk
- faeces
- urine.
People can become infected:
- by breathing in contaminated dust or aerosols
- through contact with an infected animal or its body fluids
- through contact with items or materials that have been contaminated with fluids from an infected animal.
The bacterium can survive for a long time in the environment. It can also spread over long distances, so people can be infected even when they haven’t been around animals.
Ticks spread the bacterium in animals but human infections from ticks are rare.
Infectious period
Q fever does not normally transmit from person to person.
Prevention
Vaccination
Q fever is vaccine preventable. Vaccination is recommended for people aged 15 years and older who are at greater risk of exposure through their job or other activities.
Before you receive a vaccination, your healthcare professional will organise a blood test and skin test. This is to check immunity to Q fever – the vaccine can’t be given to people who have already been vaccinated or had Q fever.
Eligible people can get Q fever vaccines for free under some state or territory programs. If you are not eligible for a free vaccine, you can buy one from your healthcare professional or pharmacy.
Other prevention steps
Apart from vaccination, the best way to protect against Q fever is to:
- wash your hands after contact with animals or materials contaminated with animal fluids
- wear a properly fitted P2 or N95 face mask and gloves when interacting with livestock or wildlife, or when mowing or gardening where livestock or wildlife might have been
- bag clothing, boots or other items contaminated with animal fluids or faeces and wash them separately to other items, and avoid these being handled by anybody who hasn’t received a Q fever vaccination or had Q fever
- keep wounds covered with a waterproof dressing in areas with animals
- not drink unpasteurised milk.
If you work around animals:
- leave clothing or equipment that might be contaminated with animal fluids or faeces at work, if you can
- follow the work health and safety advice of your employer.
Read more about preventing Q fever.
Priority groups and settings
Some people are at greater risk of getting Q fever or of getting very sick from it.
Q fever can spread among animals in agricultural settings including:
- livestock
- meat processing facilities
- animal care settings.
People at greater risk of severe disease
You are at greater risk of chronic Q fever if you:
- are immunocompromised
- have a history of valvular heart disease, arterial aneurysm or vascular graft
- are infected during pregnancy.
Read more about measures you can take to protect yourself.
People at greater risk of exposure
You are at greater risk of exposure if you have contact with:
- animals that can carry the bacterium – especially cows, sheep, goats, camels and kangaroos
- animal materials – including raw wool, meat, hides or birthing materials
- animal fluids – including milk, faeces, urine, blood or birthing fluid
- items contaminated with animal fluids – such as clothing, boots or equipment.
You are also at greater risk if you breathe in dust from where infected animals have been – especially in areas that are mowed regularly.
People may be more likely to be exposed if they:
- work with animals or animal materials
- are in places where livestock or wild animals have been
- are in a regional or rural area.
See what measures you can take to protect yourself.
Diagnosis and treatment
If your healthcare professional suspects you have Q fever, they will refer you for blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Make sure you tell them if you have been around animals or in an area where animals might have been.
You can use healthdirect’s directory to find a health service near you.
Q fever is treated with antibiotics. Early treatment is important to reduce the risk of complications.
People with chronic Q fever need long-term antibiotics.
Read more about how to manage or treat Q fever.
Surveillance and reporting
Q fever is a nationally notifiable disease – these are diseases that present a risk to public health.
Health authorities in each state and territory report new cases to us daily through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.
This is part of our surveillance activities, which help us monitor case numbers around the country and understand disease patterns.
We analyse the data and report on case numbers and other data through our data visualisation tool, where you can filter and search the latest information.
Outbreaks
Public health authorities work with animal health authorities to respond to Q fever outbreaks in people.
Control measures might include:
- urgently testing people where the outbreak is or who have symptoms
- checking the vaccination status of people who might have been exposed
- only allowing vaccinated people to enter where the outbreak is
- advising workplaces about extra steps they need to take to protect workers
- environmental controls – such as burying animal birth materials deep underground.
Read more about how the Australian Government defines and plans for outbreaks.
Support
For information about Q fever in your state or territory see:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia.
If you need mental health support, see a list of organisations, websites and services that offer support, counselling and information.
For travel advice, see Smartraveller.
Quick links
Disease
Infectious agent
Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii.
It is highly infectious and can survive for long periods in the air, water, soil and dust.
The primary reservoirs for C. burnetii are cows, sheep and goats, but many domestic and wild animals and ticks can carry the bacterium.
Clinical presentation
At least half of Q fever infections in people are asymptomatic.
Initial symptoms can be similar to influenza including:
Less common symptoms can include:
Most people recover completely from acute Q fever within a few weeks, but serious complications can include:
- pneumonia
- myocarditis
- granulomatous hepatitis
- central nervous system complications.
Some people develop long-term, persistent fatigue following acute Q fever – called Q fever fatigue syndrome.[1]
A small proportion (less than 5%) of infected people develop chronic infection, with some groups of people at increased risk. Chronic Q fever most often manifests as endocarditis, but can affect other organs.
Infection during pregnancy can lead to:
- miscarriage
- stillbirth
- premature birth
- low birth weight.
Read about the diagnosis and treatment of Q fever.
Public health importance
Although most cases are mild, Q fever can cause serious disease and long-term health impacts.
Q fever fatigue syndrome can impact people’s quality of life and ability to engage in day-to-day activities.
Chronic Q fever can persist for months or years, requiring long-term medical support.
Q fever during pregnancy can lead to severe consequences for the fetus.
The disease disproportionately affects people in some occupations – including farming, veterinary work and meat processing – due to their greater risk of exposure.
Coxiella burnetii can survive in the environment for many weeks and can travel long distances in the wind. A very low dose can cause infection. This means that even small outbreaks can have major impacts.
Because of this, we:
- work with colleagues in the animal and environmental sectors at the national and state and territory levels to ensure a One Health coordinated approach to monitoring and reporting of Q fever
- plan for how to manage major outbreaks.
Epidemiology
Q fever cases occur in many parts of the world. It is endemic in Australia.
Typically, several hundred people are diagnosed with Q fever each year in Australia, with infections more common in males. In 2024, 878 Q fever cases were notified in Australia – a significant increase compared with previous years.
Cases are reported year-round but often peak in warmer months due to drier conditions and increased outdoor and farming activities.
Most cases occur in regions with high livestock density, particularly in parts of Queensland and New South Wales.
Vaccination of people at risk of exposure has reduced the incidence of Q fever in Australia.[2]
For the latest information on Q fever incidence in Australia, see the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) data visualisation tool.
Spread of infection
Transmission
Animals shed Coxiella burnetii into the environment. This can be through their:
- birthing materials
- milk
- faeces
- urine.
People can become infected by inhaling contaminated dust or aerosols, or through contact with infected animals or contaminated materials.
C. burnetii can survive in the environment for months to years. It can also spread over very long distances, so people can be infected even when they haven’t been around animals.
While rare, infections from ticks have been documented in people. Ticks remain an important vector in animal infections.
Incubation period
Symptoms, if present, usually start 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to the bacterium.[3]
Infectious period
Coxiella burnetii does not normally transmit person to person.
Priority populations
People at greater risk of severe disease
The risk of chronic Q fever is greater for people who:
- are immunocompromised
- have a history of valvular heart disease, arterial aneurysm or vascular graft
- are infected during pregnancy.[4]
Read more about measures people can take to protect themselves.
People at greater risk of exposure
People are at greater risk of being infected if they are exposed to dust, soil, grass or other materials contaminated with fluids from infected animals.[5]
People at risk of exposure include those who work or have contact with:
- animals that can carry the bacterium – including cows, sheep, goats, camels and kangaroos and less commonly, cats and dogs
- animal materials – such as raw wool, meat, hides or birthing materials
- animal fluids – including milk, faeces, urine, blood or amniotic fluid
- items contaminated with animal fluids – such as clothing, boots or equipment.
See what measures people can take to protect themselves.
Settings at increased risk of spread
Q fever outbreaks in Australia can occur in settings where animals are present – including farms or meat processing facilities.
Read more about the prevention, control and public health management of outbreaks.
Prevention
Vaccination
Q fever is vaccine preventable. Vaccination is recommended for people aged 15 years and older who are at greater risk of exposure through their jobs or other activities.
Vaccination is contraindicated in people who have:
- already received a Q fever vaccine
- previously had Q fever.
Pre-vaccination testing must be done before vaccination.
See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more information.
Other prevention steps
In addition to vaccination, the best protection against Q fever is to:
- wash your hands after contact with animals or materials contaminated with animal fluids
- wear a properly fitted P2 or N95 respirator and gloves when interacting with livestock or wildlife, or when mowing or gardening where livestock or wildlife might have been
- bag and separately wash clothing, boots or other items contaminated with animal fluids or faeces, and avoid these being handled by anybody who isn’t immune to Q fever
- keep wounds covered with a waterproof dressing when around animals
- not drink unpasteurised milk.
Prevention among priority populations
People who may be at greater risk of exposure through their work or activities should:
- know the symptoms of Q fever
- discuss Q fever vaccination with their health professional if they aren’t vaccinated
- follow their employer’s work health and safety advice.
Diagnosis and clinical management
Diagnosis
Q fever is diagnosed by laboratory testing. Because of the risk associated with laboratory acquired infection, specimens are not set up for culture.
Nucleic acid testing requires a blood sample, ideally collected within a week of symptom onset.
Serology testing requires 2 or more blood samples (acute and convalescent) collected at least 7 days apart.
Laboratory case definition
Q fever – Laboratory case definition
The Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN) has developed standard case definitions for the diagnosis of key diseases in Australia. This document contains the laboratory case definition for Q fever.
Clinical management
Q fever is treated with antibiotics. Early treatment reduces the risk of developing chronic Q fever.
Ongoing monitoring with repeat blood testing is recommended for people with Q fever to identify chronic Q fever early. Chronic Q fever requires long-term antibiotic treatment and multidisciplinary care.
Notification and reporting
Surveillance case definition
Q fever – Surveillance case definition
This document contains the surveillance case definition for Q fever, which is nationally notifiable within Australia. State and territory health departments use this definition to decide whether to notify us of a case.
National notification and reporting
Q fever is a nationally notifiable disease. This means certain health professionals must report diagnoses through their relevant health authorities.
Check how to report laboratory-confirmed Q fever cases or related death in your state or territory:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia.
State and territory health authorities report new cases to us daily through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, as part of our surveillance activities.
We report case numbers and other data through our data visualisation tool, where you can filter and search the latest information.
This helps us to:
- identify trends in Q fever activity and spread
- plan and allocate resources
- assess the impact of control programs
- develop policies to minimise the impact of Q fever.
Public health response
National public health guidelines
Q fever – CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units
These guidelines for Public Health Units provide nationally consistent guidance on how to respond to Q fever. They are part of a Series of National Guidelines (SoNGs) published by the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA).
Management of cases
Public health units investigate all confirmed cases of Q fever in people, with a focus on determining the likely source of the infection.
The person affected should be provided with information about:
- the nature of the infection
- mode of transmission
- measures to prevent others becoming infected from exposure to the same source.
Cases are advised to seek medical care if symptoms don’t resolve following treatment, or if new symptoms develop.
People with Q fever do not need to isolate.
Management of contacts
Public health authorities follow up people who might have been exposed to the same source as a confirmed Q fever case. This can include people who:
- have the same animal exposures
- have the same occupational exposures
- have shared the same environment
- have been exposed to contaminated items – such as clothing
- live in the same household.
Public health authorities provide people who might have been exposed with information about:
- Q fever – including symptoms and when to seek medical care
- Q fever vaccination – if they are at greater risk of exposure
- any other actions they need to take to minimise their risk of Q fever.
Outbreak response
Public health authorities respond to Q fever outbreaks as a high priority.
Control measures used during outbreaks can include:
- urgent testing of people with symptoms
- assessing the vaccination status of people who might have been exposed
- restricting access to an area by unvaccinated people
- environmental control measures – such as deep burial of animal birth materials
- extra infection prevention and control measures – such as personal protective equipment
- collaboration between public health authorities, animal health authorities and local work health and safety regulators.
Special situations and high-risk settings
An unexplained increase in Q fever cases in the community might trigger:
- investigations into potential sources of infection
- targeted vaccination programs
- alerts to local health services.
Resources
See the:
- Q fever facts website
- healthdirect Q fever page
- Australian Immunisation Handbook
- Q fever CDNA national guidelines for public health units
- Safe Work Australia Q fever fact sheet
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
References
- 1 G Morroy, SP Keijmel et al., 'Fatigue following acute Q fever: A systematic literature review', PLOS ONE, 2016, 11(5):e0155884, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0155884.
- 2 HF Gidding, C Wallace et al.,'Australia's national Q fever vaccination program',Vaccine, 2009,27(14):2037–2041, doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.02.007.
- 3 DL Knobel, AN Maina et al., 'Coxiella burnetii in humans, domestic ruminants, and ticks in rural western Kenya', The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2013, 88(3):513–518, doi:10.4269/ajtmh.12-0169.
- 4 JL Pérez-Arellano, J Curbelo et al., 'A comprehensive review of the mechanisms of human Q fever: Pathogenesis and pathophysiology',Pathogens, 2025, 14(6):589, doi:10.3390/pathogens14060589.
- 5 K Eastwood, SR Graves et al., 'Q fever: A rural disease with potential urban consequences',Australian Journal of General Practice, 2018, 47(3):5555, doi:10.31128/AFP-08-17-4299.