The New South Wales Government has committed $475,000 to improve the Q fever vaccine and raise awareness of the condition.
Q fever is a bacterial infection spread to humans from animals including cattle, sheep, goats, kangaroos, feral pigs, cats and dogs.
More than 200 people contracted Q fever in NSW last year, mostly men between 40 and 70 years old, and almost half ended up in hospital.
Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Director of Health Protection, NSW Health, said the funding would assist the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, working with the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute at Camden, to improve the vaccine.
"The current vaccine is not suitable for people aged under 15 and requires screening to prevent severe reactions in those who have had previous exposure to Q fever."
He urged farmers to take other precautions such as hand washing or wearing a mask if they were in windy dusty conditions where animal manure might be floating about.
Early diagnosis is critical according to Dr McAnulty.
"If you don't get treated you can end up with chronic fatigue and even nasty complications like endocarditis which affects the muscles of your heart and can lead to heart failure."
Sheep industry needs to be aware
Wool classer Anthony Ryan was diagnosed with Q fever last year after he became seriously ill with flu-like symptoms.
Even though he has worked with livestock throughout Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales for over 50 years he did not suspect Q fever was the cause.
"In the past it has been associated mainly with people working in the cattle industry, especially in abattoirs, and very few people in the sheep industry are aware of it", he said.
Anthony Ryan said he was house bound for six months.
"My heart rate was high and I'd run out of pep really easy, and I'd become tired and have to lie down.
"I calculated that I'm running at about 40 per cent."
As a result of his case the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) have established a register for new woolclassers and they now have to be vaccinated before they sit their wool classer exams.
