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.

Articles

  • 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

  • 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

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

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

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

  • In Western Australia, commercial poultry owners must comply with surveillance, reporting and biosecurity requirements in order to reduce the risk of Newcastle disease being introduced to their floc

  • Pulpy kidney (enterotoxaemia) is a disease of sheep, goats and cattle.

  • The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has created the following guide to assist vets to collect appropriate samples during livestock disease investigations.

  • Photosensitisation is inflammation of the skin, and occasionally the conjunctiva and cornea of the eye.

  • Arthritis means inflammation in one or more joints. In sheep, it is usually the result of bacterial infection.

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