Q fever is a serious disease with approximately 600 cases notified each year in Australia. The illness may last 1-6 weeks and is flu-like with fever, chills, sweats, severe headache, muscle pain, cough, weakness and nausea. Though rare, complicationsmay involve the liver, heart and bones. A small number of people may develop post Q fever fatigue syndrome which can last for a number of years. Q fever is transmitted through infected animals' urine, milk, faeces and birth products. People become infected when they inhale contaminated droplets from these products or that are produced during the slaughter of animals, or by inhaling dust from contaminated materials. Not all animals carry and transmit the disease to humans. The animals that are the main source of the disease are cattle, kangaroos, wallabies, sheep, dogs, cats and goats. Of these animals, cattle, sheep and goats are often the most significant source for human infection.
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