RURAL organisations including the National Farmers' Federation and Australian Meat Industry Council are urging the federal government to help fund the development of a new vaccine for Q fever.
Q fever is a bacterial infection that can cause high fevers, chills, severe headaches, muscle and joint pain and extreme fatigue. The bacteria are spread from animals, mainly cattle, sheep and goats.
While the existing Q VAX product does protect against the bacteria, there are logistical challenges that make it harder for rural people in particular to use it.
Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory medical director Professor Stephen Graves leads the Q fever vaccine research team, which is testing a new vaccine on guinea pigs.
He needs $500,000 to complete the first phase of the trial.
"We are in fairly early stages with animal testing, but it looks promising and we desperately need more money," Mr Graves said.
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