2015 Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference

Here we describe a review of the epidemiological and clinical features of Victorians acquiring Q fever to identify trends over time and assess whether available epidemiological evidence is suggestive for endemicity of the bacterium in Victoria. The last livestock seroprevalence study was undertaken in 1972, and efforts are presently underway to close this knowledge gap. An update on these will also be provided. We have identified an overall reduction in human cases of Q Fever in Victoria over the last 20yrs and changing epidemiology with respect to age, sex and acquisition source, likely attributable to successes of the national Q fever vaccination program. For those cases without a clear acquisition source outside of Victoria, we describe the spatial and temporal pattern of transmission within the State. Preliminary findings from ongoing livestock surveys will also be presented.