Some 320 people who became ill with the goat disease Q-fever are going to court on Thursday in an effort to hold the government responsible for their health problems.

They argue the government did not begin a mass vaccination programme of dairy goats until 2009, two years after the outbreak started, exposing them to the bacteria. Nor did the government properly inform the public about the risks, their lawyers say.

The victims of Q-fever are claiming between €5,000 and €10,000 each. At least 25 people are thought to have died from complications, broadcaster Nos says.

The outbreak of Q-fever began in 2007 and led to the slaughter of some 40,000 goats in an effort to get the spread under control.