Visitors Q Fever - Policy

(Insert company name)

VISITORS Q FEVER - POLICY

Introduction

Businesses involved in the processing of meat products (particularly the slaughter of animals and associated work) are obliged to inform contractors, employers of visiting personnel and /or other visitors to the company's facility, of the risk of contracting Q Fever and the availability of a protective vaccine.

People who make random visits to processing facilities are likely not to have developed a natural immunity to Q Fever, as a result of a previous lack of exposure to the virus. Such persons may therefore be susceptible to contracting the disease.

ImportantMessagetoAllVisitors

This notice serves to notify that should you enter this facility, without having previously been tested for, and/or vaccinated for Q Fever, you will be exposing yourself to the risk of contracting Q Fever. If you so choose to enter this facility a facemask is available and to be worn if you so request. You are advised that the mask is intended for infection control practices to reduce the risk of infection but does not eliminate the risk of contracting any disease or infection.

You are further advised that Q Fever is a zoonotic disease, which can be transmitted from animals and animal products, to humans. Persons who acquire the disease may also experience symptoms and problems related to their personal health and well being.

An information sheet has been attached to this policy. It provides important information about the Q Fever virus. You should not enter this facility without having first read this information.

You will note from the attached information sheet, that a vaccination is available which will protect the majority of people from catching Q Fever. If you have not already been through a pre-screening and/or vaccination process, we would strongly recommend that you do so. We can provide you with details regarding a vaccination provider upon request.

Please complete the “Visitor’s Declaration” on reverse of this policy.

Visitors Declaration

I, ...... ………..………...... (print name) of ……………………………………...... (insert address) agree and declare that I have been provided with, and have read, the following information relating to Q Fever:

1.The policy of (Insert company name) relating to Q Fever and visitors.

1. A copy of the Q Fever information sheet which explains the following details;

• How Q Fever may be caught.

• The signs and symptoms of the disease.

• Possible complications which may arise from the disease.

• Available protection, in particular a vaccine.

• The existence of a pre-screening program.

• The possible side effects of the vaccine.

• Immunity.

Having received and read all of the above information, prior to entering the premises of (Insert company name), I now declare as follows;

I have participated in a Q Fever pre-screening process. Yes No

If "yes", when did pre-screening occur, what were the results and what organization performed the procedure?

Date of Pre-Screening……/……/……

Pre-Screening Results Positive Negative

Organization……………………………………………….……..

Ihave been vaccinated for Q Fever Yes No

If "yes", when did vaccination occur, and what Organization performed the procedure?

Date of vaccination……/……/……

Organization……………………………………………………..

I understand that should I choose to enter the premises of (Insert company name), without having been vaccinated for Q Fever, that I am placing myself at risk of contracting that disease. I declare that should I subsequently acquire Q Fever as a result of entering the premises of (Insert company name), I shall not hold the company, its directors, managers or employees in any way liable as I chose to enter such premises of my own accord, being fully aware of the possible risks arising from my actions.

I further declare that the information I have provided above relating to Q Fever pre-screening and vaccination is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Signed by (the visitor above mentioned) ………………….……………………(Dated)……/……/……

In the Presence of (Signature) ...... ………………………......

(Witness)

QINFORMATION SHEET

Appendix 1

Q Fever is one of the diseases that humans can catch from animals and animal products. It was first seen 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 became Q Fever.

The germ that causes Q Fever can exist in a variety of animals without the animal seeming to be sick. The disease is a noted hazard for those working with live and slaughtered cattle, sheep, goats and kangaroos. Rarely, some native animals (bandicoots, bush rodents) and domestic cats and dogs are sources of human infection.

How do we catch Q Fever?

When an infected animal excretes large amounts of the germ in its urine, faeces, milk, birth fluids, in the placenta and when the young are born, fine mists, or very small droplets, are released into the air Humans may catch Q Fever by inhaling the infected droplets.

During the slaughter and processing of infected animals, a fine mist, carrying the germ, can also be released into the air when handling the bladder, intestines, udder, uterus, foetus and other birth products. Un pasteurised milk from infected cows and goats accounts for small numbers of Q Fever cases.

The germ can survive extremes of heat and cold, drying and sunlight for long periods of time. Infected droplets and products dry to form a highly infectious dust on the ground, attached to machinery and building structures and on hides, wool, straw, clothing and other materials. The dust is considered a constant, and often hidden, source of risk for humans.

We, can also catch Q Fever by inhaling infected dust when it is blown in dry and windy weather, distributed while working on dust covered structures or released into the air when handling contaminated materials. Moving animals in the yards, pens or holding paddocks and stock transport trucks may also raise infective dusts.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Q Fever can be like influenza and include; sudden Fever, chills, possibly a slight cough, aches and pains and a severe headache. Sometimes there are no symptoms or it may be just a matter of feeling 'off colour'. On occasions, people are so ill they need to be in hospital. For some, there may be a long recovery period following an acute infection.

Generally, the illness will last one to six weeks with most people gaining long life immunity to further infection. Death from acute Q Fever is very rare.

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Complications

The major life threatening complication following Q Fever is an infection of the heart valves. Other complications include chronic inflammation of the liver and cirrhosis. Some people experience chronic recurrent complications with fatigue, muscle aches, joint pains and sweats.

Protection

Q-Vax, from CSL Ltd. is an effective vaccine for protection against Q Fever. Q-Vax must only be given to those who do not demonstrate an existing immunity to the disease or 'hypersensitivity' to the germ that causes Q Fever.

Prescreening Programs

To check if you may have sensitivity to the vaccine a small sample of blood is tested for past exposure and a skin test is performed. On the 7th day after these tests you may be vaccinated if there is no reaction at the Skin Test site and the blood test shows no immunity to Q Fever.

On the testing day a short medical history will be taken to make sure that you do not have an illness or condition where the use of the vaccine is not recommended.

These tests and questions are necessary before vaccination because if you have a sensitivity to the vaccine or have developed immunity to Q Fever, either naturally or by a previous 0 Fever vaccination, a severe local reaction may occur at the injection site, sometimes with general reactions.

Side Effects

Following vaccination, the injection site may become red and tender. This is similar to other immunization reactions, General mild influenza-like symptoms have sometimes been reported and rarely, Fever, chills and minor sweating.

Immunity

Immunity usually develops about 15 days after vaccination, The vaccine will not protect you; from infection if you have been exposed to Q Fever either just before, or during, the period when the vaccine immunity is developing. The vaccine is dead and purified and therefore cannot give you Q Fever. As we are all different there may be some that will not respond to the vaccine - this is extremely rare.

Remember, not everybody needs to have been sick with Q Fever for their body todevelop an immunity, You may have developed a natural immunity over a period oftime or have been unwell for a day or so at some stage.

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