SOUTH Australia’s peak livestock body has called on the State Government to introduce a targeted subsidy for Q Fever testing and vaccination, warning that cost should not be a barrier to protection for people working with livestock.

Livestock SA has written to SA’s Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Blair Boyer, seeking support for a South Australian subsidy program for livestock producers because it can spread through contaminated dust and cause serious illness and long-term health impacts.

Livestock SA chief executive officer Travis Tobin said Q Fever is an ongoing health risk for many people working in South Australia’s livestock industries.

“It is a preventable disease, but cost remains a barrier for some of the very people who face the greatest exposure through their daily work,” he said.

The call comes amid growing concern about rising Q Fever case numbers in South Australia from Safework SA.

Mr Tobin said the disease could have significant impacts on workers and farming businesses.

“People often think of Q fever as a short-term illness, but for some people, it can result in prolonged fatigue and lengthy periods away from work at a time when labour shortages and workforce pressures already exist across agriculture,” he said.

Livestock SA said livestock producers and workers should have affordable access to protection against a disease that can have serious consequences.

About Q Fever

• Q Fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii and is transmitted to humans from indirect or direct contact with animals (main sources of infection are sheep, cattle and goats), meaning the highest disease risk is in regional areas.
• The majority of Q Fever infections occur during the spring and summer months.
• There were seven cases of Q Fever reported to SA Health in the first six months of 2026, with 30 cases reported in 2025 and 23 in 2024.
• Exposure to Q Fever can occur through inhalation of contaminated dust or aerosols, exposure of broken skin to animal products or contaminated material, or penetrating injury through the skin with contaminated material, ingestion – consuming unpasteurised milk from an infected animal might be a risk for infection.
• People most at risk include farmers, shearers, livestock transporters, veterinarians and abattoir workers.

 

Source: Livestock SA