Livestock SA, South Australia's peak livestock body, has asked the state government for a targeted subsidy for Q fever testing and vaccination for people who work with livestock. It has written to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Blair Boyer, seeking a subsidy programme for livestock producers.
"It is a preventable disease, but cost remains a barrier for some of the very people who face the greatest exposure through their daily work," said chief executive Travis Tobin. He said Q fever can cause prolonged fatigue and long periods off work, at a time when agriculture already faces labour shortages.
Q fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. People catch it directly or indirectly from animals, mainly sheep, cattle and goats, so the risk is highest in regional areas, and most infections occur in spring and summer.
Infection can come from breathing contaminated dust or aerosols, from animal products or contaminated material on broken skin, or from a penetrating injury; drinking unpasteurised milk from an infected animal may also be a risk. Farmers, shearers, livestock transporters, veterinarians and abattoir workers are most at risk.
SA Health recorded seven cases in the first six months of 2026, after 30 in 2025 and 23 in 2024. The call follows concern from SafeWork SA about rising case numbers in the state.
Source: Beef Central
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