❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks clarification on discrepancies in reported Q fever cases associated with Barrow Island and inquires about transmission and preventative measures. The Minister's response clarifies the data collection methods and provides information on potential transmission routes and current risk assessment.
AnsweredQoN 940Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Q FEVER - INCIDENCE ON BARROW ISLAND
I refer to question without notice 1158 of Wednesday, 20 August 2003 and question on notice 4196 of Wednesday, 28 September 2006 regarding the incidence of Q fever. (1) Will the minister explain the discrepancy between the answers to these questions? In part (4) of question 1158 the minister stated that the Department of Health was notified of two cases of Q fever associated with Barrow Island, whereas in the answer to question 4196 the minister stated that there were no cases on the notifiable diseases database of Q fever from Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006. (2) How many cases of Q fever have been reported annually on Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006? (3) How is the disease transmitted on Barrow Island? (4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST
I refer to question without notice 1158 of Wednesday, 20 August 2003 and question on notice 4196 of Wednesday, 28 September 2006 regarding the incidence of Q fever. (1) Will the minister explain the discrepancy between the answers to these questions? In part (4) of question 1158 the minister stated that the Department of Health was notified of two cases of Q fever associated with Barrow Island, whereas in the answer to question 4196 the minister stated that there were no cases on the notifiable diseases database of Q fever from Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006. (2) How many cases of Q fever have been reported annually on Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006? (3) How is the disease transmitted on Barrow Island? (4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(1) Will the minister explain the discrepancy between the answers to these questions? In part (4) of question 1158 the minister stated that the Department of Health was notified of two cases of Q fever associated with Barrow Island, whereas in the answer to question 4196 the minister stated that there were no cases on the notifiable diseases database of Q fever from Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006. (2) How many cases of Q fever have been reported annually on Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006? (3) How is the disease transmitted on Barrow Island? (4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(2) How many cases of Q fever have been reported annually on Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006? (3) How is the disease transmitted on Barrow Island? (4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(3) How is the disease transmitted on Barrow Island? (4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(1) Will the minister explain the discrepancy between the answers to these questions? In part (4) of question 1158 the minister stated that the Department of Health was notified of two cases of Q fever associated with Barrow Island, whereas in the answer to question 4196 the minister stated that there were no cases on the notifiable diseases database of Q fever from Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006. (2) How many cases of Q fever have been reported annually on Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006? (3) How is the disease transmitted on Barrow Island? (4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(2) How many cases of Q fever have been reported annually on Barrow Island between 1998 and 2006? (3) How is the disease transmitted on Barrow Island? (4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(3) How is the disease transmitted on Barrow Island? (4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(4) What measures is the Department of Health taking to ensure that this disease does not spread further? Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
On behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health, I provide the following reply - (1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(1) The notifiable diseases database records the residential address of the person being notified. With regard to question 4196, no-one contained on the database notified with Q fever was stated to be a resident of Barrow Island. The response to question without notice 1158 in August 2003 related to two persons who were resident in the Perth metropolitan area as opposed to Barrow Island, but who had an association with Barrow Island. The database has now been searched to find any persons with a possible link to Barrow Island. (2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(2) Based on information in comments on databases, one person, resident elsewhere, but with a link to Barrow Island, contracted Q fever in 2001 and one person was similarly described in 2002. There have been no notifications since. (3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(3) It is unclear how the disease is being transmitted on Barrow Island. The vast majority of cases are livestock-related and most cases in Australia are associated with abattoir workers. However, one of the cases reported a tick bite, which is a possible mechanism, as is direct exposure to wild animals that may be infected, or indirect exposure via dust contaminated by birth fluids and excreta of infected animals. (4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
(4) No cases even plausibly linked to Barrow Island have been notified to the communicable disease control directorate in the past four years, and the average annual number of cases statewide has halved in the past three years. The Department of Health does not believe that further steps are necessary.
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