A Q fever cluster among workers at an abattoir in south-western Sydney, Australia, 2015

Authors

  • Heidi Lord Public Health Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia
  • Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey Public Health Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia
  • Guy Weerasinghe Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Australia
  • Meena Chandra Public Health Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia
  • Nilva Egana Public Health Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia
  • Nicole Schembri Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Australia
  • Stephen Conaty Public Health Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2016.7.2.012

Abstract

Background: In September 2015, the Public Health Unit of the South Western Sydney Local Health District was notified of two possible Q fever cases. Case investigation identified that both cases were employed at an abattoir, and both cases advised that co-workers had experienced similar symptoms. Public Health Unit staff also recalled interviewing in late 2014 at least one other Q fever case who worked at the same abattoir. This prompted an outbreak investigation.

Methods: The investigation incorporated active case finding, microbiological analysis, field investigation and a risk factor survey. Included cases were laboratory definitive or suspected cases occurring from October 2014 to October 2015, residing or working in south-western Sydney. A suspected case had clinically compatible illness, high-risk exposure and was epidemiologically linked to another confirmed case. A confirmed case included laboratory detection of C. burnetti.

Results: Eight cases met the case definition with seven confirmed (including a deceased case) and one suspected. The eight cases were all males who had been employed at an abattoir in south-western Sydney during their incubation period; symptom onset dates ranged from November 2014 to September 2015. Field investigation identified multiple potential risk factors at the abattoir, and the majority (75%) of employees were not vaccinated against Q fever despite this high-risk setting.

Conclusion: This cluster of Q fever in a single abattoir confirms the significance of this zoonotic disease as an occupational hazard among persons working in high-risk environments. Implementation of Q fever vaccination programmes should eliminate Q fever in high-risk occupational settings.

Published

14-11-2016

How to Cite

1.
Lord H, Fletcher-Lartey S, Weerasinghe G, Chandra M, Egana N, Schembri N, Conaty S. A Q fever cluster among workers at an abattoir in south-western Sydney, Australia, 2015. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2016 Nov. 14 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];7(4). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/469

Issue

Section

Original Research

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