Q fever is a zoonosis with many manifestations. The most common clinical presentation is an influenza-like illness with varying degrees of pneumonia and hepatitis. Although acute disease is usually self-limiting, people do occasionally die from this condition. Endocarditis is the most frequent chronic presentation. Although Q fever is widespread, practitioner awareness and clinical manifestations vary from region to region. Geographically limited studies suggest that chronic fatigue syndrome and cardiovascular disease are long-term sequelae. An effective whole-cell vaccine is licensed in Australia. Live and acellular vaccines have also been studied, but are not currently licensed.

Objective: To describe the seroepidemiology of Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, in those under 25 years of age in South West Queensland. Methods: A convenience sample of residual sera from a diagnostic laboratory was tested for C. burnetii antibodies by immunofluorescence at 1:10 dilution. Prevalence and annual incidence were calculated from the results. Results: Twenty‐nine of 447 (6.5%, 95% CI 4.5%‐9.2%) samples were positive. Seropositivity increased from 2.5% in those <15 (95% CI 1.0%‐5.5%) to 11.0% in those 15‐24 years old (95% CI 7.4%‐16.0%). The estimated annual incidence for the latter age group was 7.7 per 1,000. Conclusions: Q fever is a relatively common infection in South West Queensland, even in those aged <15 years for whom the vaccine is not recommended. Implications: Vaccination programs, such as the federally funded National Q fever Management Program, are needed in this and similar high risk rural areas.

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