A GOOLHI mother has called for government health reform after her daughter fell ill with Q fever.
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Laura Jones has pleaded with the federal government to up its measures after her daughter Lillie was diagnosed with the bacterial infection recently.
The bacteria is most commonly found in cattle, sheep and goats, and can be transmitted via dust particles in the air.
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An effective vaccine is only available to people over the age of 15 and Mrs Jones said she would like to see the age limit lowered.
"Our area is a hotspot for Q fever regardless of how dry or dusty it is," Mrs Jones said.
"But with how many stock - alive and dead - we've had on our property, how dry, dusty and smoky it's been recently, it is no wonder our Lillie contracted it.
"When Lillie first picked up the virus, the age limit was 16, but it has since been lowered.
"We're not too sure how this will affect her long-term, we have to go down for more tests in Sydney next week, which should give us a better idea of her prognosis."
Parkes MP Mark Coulton said the government was doing all it could to help combat Q fever.
"It is a major concern for the government but, despite the conditions, we haven't seen a major spike in Q fever across the country," Mr Coulton told the Leader.
"Currently, the government is investing $40 million to a pharmaceutical company to manufacture the vaccine, which makes us the only country in the world to do that for Q fever.
"In NSW, we have also set up a Q fever taskforce, which is looking at a variety of things including lowering the age restrictions around the vaccine."
Mr Coulton said the government's latest round of drought relief funding could be used for medical testing and treatment for Q fever.
"I don't think people should rely on an incoming government-funded program regarding the Q fever vaccine because, to my mind, it is not coming in the near future," he said.
"I know a lot of abattoirs and food-processing facilities pay for their staff to be tested because of closely they work with animals, I myself will be tested in the coming weeks to be on the safe side.
"It's a really complex illness, so there really is no easy fix from a government stand point.
"I urge people who have access to the government's $3000 drought relief funding to use it on medical testing if they need to."
Mrs Jones also urged people to get themselves tested "sooner rather than later".
"This illness does not discriminate," she said.
"It can happen to anyone, it can be as innocent as dust coming through your window when you're driving through town.
"I can't urge people enough to be proactive and get regular checks from their doctor."