Diseases

Diseases have a detrimental effect on plants and animals and impact on market access and agricultural production. Diseases include micro-organisms, disease agents (bacteria, fungi and viruses), infectious agents, parasites and genetic disorders.

Western Australia is free from some of the world's major agricultural and livestock diseases. Biosecurity measures on your property are vital in preventing the spread of diseases.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides:

  • biosecurity/quarantine measures at the WA border to prevent the entry of plant and animal diseases
  • post border biosecurity measures for harmful animal and plant diseases
  • advice on widespread diseases present in the state.

For advice on animal and plant diseases search our website, the Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

Articles

  • 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.

  • Classical rabies occurs in most parts of the world but is exotic to Australia. Biosecurity Australia has strategies in place to minimise the risk of classical rabies entering Australia.

  • If an emergency animal disease such as foot-and-mouth disease was found in Australia, a national livestock standstill would be implemented immediately.

  • 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.

  • The following procedure is designed to aid veterinarians when taking histopathology samples for livestock post-mortems.

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

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