Q fever register & associated activities

Summary

Background
Q fever was first recognised in Australia during the 1930's when workers at a Brisbane meat processor became ill with a fever. As the cause of the illness was unknown, the workers were diagnosed with 'Query' fever. This was eventually abbreviated to Q fever. With the possible exception of a few European countries and New Zealand, cases of Q fever have been reported worldwide and from every State and Territory in Australia.
A feasibility study for the register was conducted from June to September 1999 with the results of study published in October 1999.  The Register was launched in NSW and Queensland on 1 November 2001, and commenced full national coverage on 1 July 2002.
Q Fever Projects
The Australian Q Fever Register stores information on the Q fever immune status of individuals. This site has general information on Q fever, information on the Register, as well as providing password access to registered users.
AusVet Animal Health Services have managed the Register since 2001.
The Q fever register offers a number of benefits to the Australian red meat industry and it's employees, including:gives the ability to determine the Q Fever immune status of an individual, to prevent unnecessary testing, and to minimise the risk of exposing susceptible individuals to the organism in the workplaceregistered organisations (primarily meat processors and medical practitioners) can check a persons status on the Web, as well as submit screening test and vaccination details to the registerthe register data is stored on a 'live' database linked to the internet to allow users to access completely up-to-date information
The objectives of the annual Q fever projects funded by MLA and AMPC are:develop and implement data management and quality assurance processes for the Internet registerprovide registrants with support and advice regarding the registeroperate the Q fever register based on the developmental and management specifications as they develop throughout the projectensure that the operation of the register meets the privacy principles as agreed by MLA and the consultant
The register can be found atwww.qfever.org/index.html