Surveillance system enhancements for Q fever in NSW, 2005-2015


Clutterbuck, Henry CM, Eastwood, Keith, Massey, Peter D, Hope, Kirsty and Mor, Siobhan M ORCID: 0000-0003-0121-2016 (2018) Surveillance system enhancements for Q fever in NSW, 2005-2015. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES INTELLIGENCE, 42 (1). S2209-6051(18)00012-10-.

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Abstract

<h4>Introduction</h4>Q fever remains an important notifiable, zoonotic disease in Australia. Previous epidemiological reviews have noted increased importance of non-abattoir contact with livestock and native/feral animals. Changes to surveillance in New South Wales (NSW) have provided enhanced surveillance data with which to examine exposure pathways.<h4>Methods</h4>Descriptive analysis of NSW Q fever notification data for the period 2005-2015, with detailed analysis of exposures for the period 2011-2015 (after introduction of improvements to surveillance).<h4>Results</h4>Between 2005 and 2015, 1,653 confirmed cases of Q fever were notified in NSW residents who acquired the disease in this state. For the period 2011-2015, a high-risk occupation was reported in 345/660 (52.3%) of notifications with a known occupation. Of 641 cases with a known animal exposure, 345 (53.8%) had direct contact with livestock, while 62 (9.7%) had indirect contact with livestock (e.g. proximity to livestock, livestock holding areas or trucks). Direct or indirect contact with native/feral animals was reported in 111/641 (17.3%) cases. Mowing and close proximity to kangaroos/wallabies were commonly reported indirect exposure pathways, particularly in urban areas.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Enhancements to the state based surveillance database in NSW introduced in 2010 have resulted in improved collection of surveillance data for Q fever. Further refinement of Q fever surveillance can be achieved through continuing to improve data quality, standardising data collection and better elucidating exposure pathways of cases.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Q fever, Coxiella burnetii, exposure, surveillance, Q fever vaccine
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 20 Jun 2018 09:06
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2024 19:00
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3022820
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