Q fever cases have hit a record-high, while a new vaccine emerges

Q fever cases are at record high levels in Victoria, particularly in the Baw Baw Shire. And scientists say the reported numbers are a “gross underestimate”.

Victoria has battled its highest number of Q fever cases on public record, with 91 cases in the past 12 months

But scientists say the reported numbers are a “gross underestimate” as they look to commercialise a new vaccine, and beef industry authorities are calling for more action.

The Victorian Department of Health recorded 91 Q fever cases in the past 12 months, with 18 cases so far this year, and 82 recorded in 2024. Baw Baw Shire absorbed a quarter of those cases, with 20 people diagnosed in 2024.

Q fever last peaked in 1994 at 80 cases.

Meanwhile, there were two recorded Japanese encephalitis cases in Victoria this year at Moira Shire, compared with 14 cases in 2022.

Another zoonotic virus, leptospirosis, peaked at 83 cases in 1992 but had reduced to eight recorded cases this year.

Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory Foundation medical director Stephen Graves started developing a Q fever vaccine 10 years ago. Picture: Supplied

Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory Foundation medical director Stephen Graves started developing a Q fever vaccine 10 years ago.

He said while the available vaccine Q-Vax protected people, he wanted to create a more-effective vaccine.

“(Case numbers are) a gross underestimate because it’s such a difficult disease to diagnose,” Dr Graves said.

“I’ve given a lot of Q fever vaccines, you have to do a blood and skin test on the patient first, then come back to the doctor after seven days and get the vaccine. It’s quite a palaver.”

His vaccine is a sub-unit vaccine, which meant it used part of the bacterium for generating immunity.

He said people who worked with goats, cattle and sheep, or lived in regional Australia were most at risk.

“Queensland is the top state in the number of cases, then NSW, Victoria and so on,” Dr Graves said.

“Our vaccine is working very well in guinea pigs, and now we need money to see whether it works on humans.”

Dr Graves said $3m would take the vaccine through a clinical study to ensure it was safe to use on people, and a secondary phase to test its effectiveness. It was about four years from commercialisation.

Cattle Australia chief executive Dr Chris Parker recently called on the federal government to deliver $3m to bring the vaccine through to commercialisation.

“This is a disease of genuine concern to livestock producers, sheep, cattle and goat producers,” he said.

“The current vaccine provides good protection, it’s just a very involved process.”