A new study on the incidence of Q fever has found as many as one in 20 people in parts of Australia have been exposed to the debilitating disease at some point in their lives.

Key points: The study found the Q fever risk was higher in regional areas

The study found the Q fever risk was higher in regional areas It is caused by a highly-infectious bacterium

It is caused by a highly-infectious bacterium Researchers recommend rural residents consider vaccination

The paper — published today in the Medical Journal of Australia — was based on 2,740 samples of blood from donors at Red Cross blood banks in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Toowoomba in Queensland and metropolitan Sydney and Brisbane.

Lead author Associate Professor Heather Gidding, from the University of Sydney, said 3.6 per cent of the blood sampled overall had antibodies to the bacteria which causes Q fever, indicating the donor had been exposed to the disease.

Q fever is caused by the highly-infectious bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which infects wild and domestic animals and their ticks.

Humans are exposed when they inhale infected droplets or dust, often left in the environment after animals give birth.

Symptoms include fever and severe headaches in the acute phase.

Between 10 to 20 per cent of people who contract the disease sufferer serious long-term symptoms.

They include chronic fatigue, heart valve failure, bone infections and seizures. In rare cases patients die.

Associate Professor Gidding was surprised by the findings. ( ABC News: Paul Ree )

"What we found was that, surprisingly, there were more people exposed to Q fever overall than we had anticipated and that past exposure was higher in rural communities than in metropolitan areas," Associate Professor Gidding said.

"People living in Toowoomba had about a one in 20 chance of being exposed to Q fever, so that's quite high.

"Interestingly, one in 36 Sydneysiders had evidence of past exposure, so we don't really know why they have such a high level … but we do need to do more studies."

While Australia has the world's only effective vaccine against Q fever, the study found just 40 per cent of people in groups recommended for vaccination knew about it and only 10 per cent of people in those high-risk groups were vaccinated.

"So there is definitely room for improvement there in vaccine uptake," Professor Gidding, who is also affiliated with the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, said.

Former footballer battles Q fever and its consequences

The researchers found people who had lived in a rural area for at least three months at some stage in their life were at a significantly higher risk, even if they had no contact with livestock.

Q fever symptoms Fever

Fever Chills

Chills Profuse sweating

Profuse sweating Cough



Cough Severe headache

Severe headache Muscle pains



Muscle pains Weakness Source: Australian Q Fever Register

The report recommended further research "to identify reasons for this increased risk".

"Just living in a rural area had two-and-a-half times the exposure compared to their metropolitan counterparts," she said.

"It was really one of the most interesting results of the study … it would be a good idea for everybody living in a rural area to talk to a GP about their own need for a vaccination."

Former South Australian National Football League player Alan Stringer contracted Q fever after mustering feral goats on a property near Cobar in New South Wales in 2004.

"About a month later I came down with this fever," Mr Stringer said.

The fever and headaches lasted for days but the ongoing post-fever fatigue plagued him for years.

"I really struggled to go to work and was just extremely tired, and not knowing what was wrong with me, it started a decline in my mind," he said.

Former SANFL footballer Alan Stringer has battled Q fever and its consequences. ( ABC News: Prue Adams )

Once a fit football coach and farmer, he became deeply depressed, went through divorce and became estranged from his three sons.

"Q fever will never leave you, it's always in your system," Mr Stringer said.

After a difficult 15 years, he is now finally feeling healthier and getting his life and relationships back on track.

"I am still learning about Q fever," he said.

"It maybe a little bit of a sad story but it's going to end up OK, I know it's going to end up OK."

Watch the story on Landline on ABC TV at 12:30pm on Sunday and on iview.