NSW Farmers is calling on the NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, to turn his attention to combating Q fever, a debilitating disease that spreads from infected animals to people.
The disease effects hundreds of people in the northern rivers area.
President of NSW Farmers’, Derek Schoen, said he was encouraged by the Government’s move to protect senior students against meningococcal.
‘The Government’s meningococcal vaccination announcement is a positive step towards protecting our communities, including students in rural and regional areas.
‘We want to ensure that people in the bush have access to quality health services.”
NSW Farmers is urging the NSW Government to keep in mind Q fever notifications are rising sharply.
‘There are many more cases of Q fever than meningococcal each year, yet there is little community awareness of the disease and inadequate immunisation coverage among the general population,” Mr Schoen said.
Q fever is usually an acute infection but it can sometimes lead to a chronic illness. It is under-diagnosed and under-reported. Up to 25 per cent of people diagnosed with Q fever do not fully recover, with many sufferers going on to develop long-term chronic fatigue. Q fever can also be fatal.
‘It’s not just farmers and meatworkers being struck down with Q fever. NSW residents are at increasing risk of exposure from domestic cats and dogs, as well as wildlife,’ Mr Schoen said.
Australia has one of the highest rates of Q fever in the world, and NSW is a hotspot for infection.
‘We are asking the Government to fund testing and vaccination clinics for people at risk of Q fever, as well as better training for rural health practitioners and a public awareness campaign.’
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