Livestock health & diseases

Western Australia’s freedom from many pests and diseases allows our livestock producers access to a wide range of international and domestic markets. To maintain this enviable biosecurity status, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development ensures significant livestock disease is investigated. This information helps to assure trading partners that we are free of diseases.

Some diseases can have devastating effects on the livelihoods of everyone in the supply chain. To ensure the impacts on the economy and community are minimised, the department maintains trained, response-ready staff and systems to ensure an emergency animal disease incident is promptly and efficiently controlled. In addition, the risk of introduction of exotic disease is also managed by ensuring stockfeed contains appropriate ingredients.

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Articles

  • Cow and sheep grazing in paddock

    Reportable animal diseases

    16 January 2014

    Early recognition of disease is one of the most important factors influencing the control of disease and the reduction of its impact on industry and the community.

  • NULL

    Preventing antimicrobial resistance

    10 November 2015

    Antimicrobial resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an increasing range of infections in humans and animals caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses.

  • Ovine campylobacteriosis (formerly ovine vibriosis)

    8 August 2014

    Ovine campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease of breeding ewes causing abortion in late pregnancy. It is caused by the bacteria Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus.

  • Child on pony taking part in a horse event

    Keeping horses healthy: a biosecurity checklist for horse owners, trainers and service providers

    12 December 2013

    The Western Australian horse industry is committed to helping owners keep their horses and properties disease-free through the adoption of effective biosecurity measures.

  • Screw worm fly

    3 August 2015

    Screw worm fly is considered the most serious exotic pest threatening Australia's livestock industries and could cost up to $500 million a year in lost production and control measures if it entered

  • 2 fancy breed chickens

    Biosecurity guidelines for bird events in Western Australia

    13 May 2014

    These biosecurity guidelines for bird events are designed to assist event organisers and participants to manage the risk of disease spread among birds at shows, sales, displays, competitions and ra

  • Yarded sheep

    Salmonellosis of sheep

    13 December 2013

    Salmonellosis of sheep is an infectious bacterial disease causing illness and death. It results from proliferation of salmonella bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and other organs.

  • Backyard chickens

    Code of practice: managing the risk of Newcastle disease in Western Australia

    7 May 2014

    The threat of Newcastle disease is managed nationally through the National Newcastle Disease Management Plan.

  • Scabby mouth in sheep

    13 December 2013

    Scabby mouth is a viral disease of sheep and goats that causes scabs and pustules, usually around the mouth and face of affected animals.

  • Chicken

    Chicken necropsy guide

    5 March 2015

    This is a visual guide to a thorough chicken necropsy. Correct necropsy and sampling will increase the likelihood of a definitive diagnosis.

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