http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/services/Feed ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:10625 A multi-agency investigation followed the notification of four locally acquired human brucellosis cases in north-west NSW. Feral pig hunting within a geographically discrete region was identified as the likely exposure with Brucella suis the suspected cause. To test whether feral pigs in the region were infected with Brucella, serological testing was performed on trapped feral pigs and testicular abscesses from condemned carcasses bound for export were cultured. Although no Brucella species were identified in the feral pigs tested in NSW. Leptospira species were. Strengthening of human surveillance and ongoing collaboration between animal and human health agencies is required to confirm that Brucella suis causes brucellosis in humans and feral pigs in north-west NSW. 2012-04-12T04:17:29.243Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:6865 The association between farming risks and Q fever is not well documented in Australia. In a review of New South Wales notifications, data were analysed using 3-year study periods from 1993 to 2007 to investigate possible trends and explore reported risk exposures. A retrospective case series was also conducted using acute Q fever cases notified during 2007 from a rural area of New South Wales. Occupation was recorded for less than 50% of Q fever notifications in New South Wales during the study period. A significant decline in the proportion of notifications occurred in the occupational group reported as ‘Abattoir/Meat’ worker and a significant increase occurred in the ‘Farmer/Livestock’ category. The case series found that in the month prior to illness onset 78% (42/54) reported direct contact with animals. In the month prior to becoming ill with Q fever 71% (31/51) of employed cases had contact with newly introduced livestock in their workplace. As a result of their Q fever illness 93% of cases required time off work or school, with a median of 21 days. At the time of the structured interviews 63% had not fully recovered. The epidemiology of Q fever disease in New South Wales has changed and amongst notified cases the relative importance of non-abattoir contact with livestock, wildlife or feral animals appears to be increasing. The surveillance field ‘Occupation’ no longer alone adequately describes risk exposure for many of the people notified with Q fever and a new field that better describes risk exposures is required. This may allow more finely tuned vaccination policy. 2012-03-12T06:47:50.949Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:6854 A multi-agency investigation followed the notification of four locally acquired human brucellosis cases in north-west NSW. Feral pig hunting within a geographically discrete region was identified as the likely exposure with Brucella suis the suspected cause. To test whether feral pigs in the region were infected with Brucella, serological testing was performed on trapped feral pigs and testicular abscesses from condemned carcasses bound for export were cultured. Although no Brucella species were identified in the feral pigs tested in NSW, Leptospira species were. Strengthening of human surveillance and ongoing collaboration between animal and human health agencies is required to confirm that Brucella suis causes brucellosis in humans and feral pigs in north-west NSW. 2010-12-13T23:50:03.522Z ]]>