Last week, NSW Labor joined calls from NSW Farmers for action on Q fever, backing our proposal for an awareness campaign to ensure communities understand the risks of the disease.
Q fever is the most common preventable zoonotic disease in Australia and protection against infection is a bipartisan issue that requires urgent attention.
Once considered to be an issue solely for farm and abattoir workers, we're seeing a rise in exposure outside the livestock sector.
I was disappointed to see NSW Health suggesting Q fever is solely a workplace issue.
NSW Health's own data suggests that Q fever notifications are increasingly coming from non-occupational sources, including through contact with animals in urban areas.
The Q fever virus has been found in bandicoots, kangaroos, possums, dingoes, foxes, wild pigs, and domestic cats and dogs; yet officials suggest we concentrate solely on the risk in the shearing shed or the saleyard.
The superficial response of “occupational exposure” ignores the risk to children and residents in peri-urban areas that don't come into contact with livestock.
Our industry can only do so much to raise awareness; a wider focus is needed from health agencies to better inform the community of Q fever risk.
I have first-hand experience of the toll that Q fever can take on your health. I'm looking to a future where nobody else has to suffer from this entirely preventable disease, and this starts with education and awareness of the community at large.
NSW Farmers is also calling for assistance with the cost of testing and vaccination. Many farmers have already taken steps to protect their staff and families, at a considerable cost.
It's long overdue for the government to help us shoulder the burden of vaccination and awareness.
I urge NSW Health to look beyond the city limits and demonstrate its commitment to rural and regional health issues before a serious outbreak occurs.
- Chris Groves, a Cowra farmer
