Editing Q fever (section)

== Prevention ==
Research done in the 1960s{{ndash}}1970s by French Canadian-American [[microbiologist]] and [[Virology|virologist]] [[Paul Fiset]] was instrumental in the development of the first successful Q fever [[vaccine]].<ref>{{cite news| vauthors = Saxon W |date=March 8, 2001|title=Dr. Paul Fiset, 78, Microbiologist And Developer of Q Fever Vaccine|page=C-17|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/08/us/dr-paul-fiset-78-microbiologist-and-developer-of-q-fever-vaccine.html|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527155503/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/08/us/dr-paul-fiset-78-microbiologist-and-developer-of-q-fever-vaccine.html|archive-date=2015-05-27}}</ref>

Protection is offered by Q-Vax, a whole-cell, inactivated vaccine developed by an Australian vaccine manufacturing company, [[CSL Limited]].<ref>{{cite web|date=17 January 2014|title=Q&nbsp;fever Vaccine|url=http://www.csl.com.au/docs/39/836/Q-Vax_PI_V4_TGA-Approved-17%20January%202014.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309080855/http://www.csl.com.au/docs/39/836/Q-Vax_PI_V4_TGA-Approved-17%20January%202014.pdf|archive-date=9 March 2017|access-date=11 July 2015|website=[[CSL Limited]]}}</ref> The intradermal vaccination is composed of killed ''C.&nbsp;burnetii'' organisms. Skin and blood tests should be done before vaccination to identify pre-existing immunity because vaccinating people who already have immunity can result in a severe local reaction. After a single dose of vaccine, protective immunity lasts for many years. Revaccination is not generally required. Annual screening is typically recommended.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cdp.ucsf.edu/fileUpload/UCSF_CDP_Q_Fever_Surveillance_Policy_Q_Neg_Wethers.pdf |title=USCF communicable disease prevention program animal exposure surveillance program |access-date=2007-05-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701075855/http://cdp.ucsf.edu/fileUpload/UCSF_CDP_Q_Fever_Surveillance_Policy_Q_Neg_Wethers.pdf |archive-date=2007-07-01 }}</ref>

In 2001, Australia introduced a national Q&nbsp;fever vaccination program for people working in "at-risk" occupations. Vaccinated or previously exposed people may have their status recorded on the Australian Q&nbsp;Fever Register,<ref>{{cite web|title=Australian Q Fever Register|url=https://www.qfever.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216183213/https://www.qfever.org/|archive-date=2016-02-16|access-date=12 February 2016|publisher=AusVet}}</ref> which may be a condition of employment in the meat processing industry or in [[University of Melbourne Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences|veterinary research]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-20|title=Q-Fever Vaccinations|url=https://fvas.unimelb.edu.au/students/general/q-fever|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625021440/https://fvas.unimelb.edu.au/students/admin/q-fever|archive-date=2019-06-25|access-date=2020-07-11|website=Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences {{!}} [[The University of Melbourne]]|language=en}}</ref> An earlier killed vaccine had been developed in the Soviet Union, but its side effects prevented its licensing abroad.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

Preliminary results suggest vaccination of animals may be a method of control. Published trials proved that use of a registered phase vaccine (Coxevac) on infected farms is a tool of major interest to manage or prevent early or late abortion, repeat breeding, [[anoestrus]], silent oestrus, [[metritis]], and decreases in milk yield when ''C.&nbsp;burnetii'' is the major cause of these problems.<ref>{{cite conference | vauthors = Camuset P, Remmy D |title=Q&nbsp;Fever (Coxiella burnetii) Eradication in a Dairy Herd by Using Vaccination with a Phase&nbsp;1 Vaccine| conference =XXV World Buiatrics Congress|year=2008|location=Budapest}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hogerwerf L, van den Brom R, Roest HI, Bouma A, Vellema P, Pieterse M, Dercksen D, Nielen M | display-authors = 6 | title = Reduction of Coxiella burnetii prevalence by vaccination of goats and sheep, The Netherlands | journal = Emerging Infectious Diseases | volume = 17 | issue = 3 | pages = 379–386 | date = March 2011 | pmid = 21392427 | pmc = 3166012 | doi = 10.3201/eid1703.101157 }}</ref>

Q fever is primarily transmitted to humans through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with Coxiella burnetii from infected animals, notably cattle, sheep, and goats. Occupational groups such as farmers, veterinarians, and abattoir workers are at heightened risk. Preventive strategies include:<ref>{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=2025-03-05 |title=Clinical Guidance for Q fever |url=https://www.cdc.gov/q-fever/hcp/clinical-guidance/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Q Fever |language=en-us}}</ref>

* '''Vaccination:''' In countries like Australia, where Q fever is endemic, vaccination programs targeting high-risk populations have been implemented. The vaccine has proven effective in reducing the incidence of the disease among these groups.   CDC
* '''Hygiene Measures:''' Implementing strict biosecurity and hygiene practices in livestock handling facilities can minimize environmental contamination. This includes proper disposal of animal waste and birthing products, which are known to harbor high concentrations of the bacteria.
* '''Public Awareness:''' Educating at-risk populations about Q fever transmission, symptoms, and preventive measures is crucial. Awareness campaigns can lead to early diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing complications associated with the disease.<!--what is "Wannyn (2007) meant to be?-->