Wild and woolly

I have lived here for years and I have never heard of Q fever. It's a rural disease and I have heard of Ross River fever and Murray Valley encephalitis but never Q fever. What next?? Does this mean we can't play with the sheepies anymore?? No more talking to the cows? It's big in Queensland but the Q is supposed to be for Query.Why? It first came here in 1935 and apparently they have it in America as well.

Eight come down with Q Fever. 13/12/2004. ABC News Online

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1264296.htm]

Last Update: Monday, December 13, 2004. 7:15pm (AEDT)
Eight come down with Q Fever
Health authorities are still trying to work out why eight people in the mid-north town of Jamestown in South Australia have been struck down by Q Fever.
Another five suspected cases are being investigated.
Authorities say people with the disease will feel like they have got the worst case of influenza they have ever had.
Dr Rod Givney, from the Department of Health, says in some cases victims can spend weeks or months in hospital recovering.
He says the people who have Q Fever have all had contact with sheep, but the department still does not know what the exact link is there.
He says the department needs to talk to the people and compare their stories before they get a final answer.

© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

This site is a very friendly insight into the situation in Queensland.

· Symptoms include the following:
o Fever
o Severe headache
o Myalgias
o Anorexia
o Cough
o Pleuritic chest pain
o Sweats
o Chills
o Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (rare)
Physical: Often in acute Q fever, specific findings may not exist. In chronic Q fever, findings consistent with endocarditis and hepatitis more frequently are found.
· Findings in endocarditis include the following:
o Vegetations on any valve (although aortic and prosthetic valves are favored)
o Clubbing of digits
o Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in approximately one half of patients
o Arterial emboli in approximately one third of patients
o Purpuric rash in approximately 20% of patients
· Findings in hepatitis include the following:
o Fever
o Malaise
o Hepatomegaly with right upper quadrant pain
o Jaundice (occasional)

Emedicine gives more details.