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.

See Also

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Articles

  • A blood smear from a sheep with eperythrozoonosis. The large gaps between red cells indicate anaemia. The blue-stained organisms within the cells are M. ovis. Photo credit: Mark Bennett, Murdoch U

    Eperythrozoonosis (E. ovis) in sheep

    20 October 2014

    Eperythrozoonosis is a disease in sheep and goats caused by the bacterium mycoplasma ovis (formerly known as eperythrozoon ovis).

  • Sheep drinking at a dam

    Preventing salt poisoning of livestock

    2 December 2014

    This page describes the causes and signs of salt poisoning of livestock as well as how to treat and prevent the condition.

  • NULL

    Grass tetany in beef cattle: prevention and treatment

    28 November 2013

    Grass tetany is a highly fatal disease associated with low levels of magnesium in the blood.

  • Pink eye in cattle

    15 December 2013

    Pink eye or infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a common and contagious eye condition that affects cattle of all ages. It is most commonly seen in calves and young stock. 

  • Cows grazing pasture in the Great Southern

    Infertility and abortion in cows

    3 December 2018

    There are multiple causes of infertility, abortion and stillbirths in cows. These include some diseases that are exotic to Western Australia and some zoonotic diseases.

  • Cattle on pasture

    Kikuyu poisoning in livestock

    29 January 2018

    Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestimun) is a subtropical perennial grass with spring to autumn growth.

  • ewe and lamb in paddock

    Mastitis in sheep

    3 December 2013

    Mastitis is the term for a bacterial infection of the udder. It is most common in ewes raising multiple lambs or with high milk production.

  • DPIRD approved fluke egg sedimentation test (FEST) procedure

    11 March 2015

    Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) approved procedure for detection of trematode eggs and Eimeria leuckarti sedimentation method (FEST) on faecal samples.

  • Map of WA with surveillance message

    Animal health surveillance in Western Australia

    7 March 2017

    Western Australia has a reputation for producing healthy livestock free from diseases and residues that could harm human health or damage our ability to sell livestock within Australia or overseas.

  • Chickens drinking

    Newcastle disease

    12 May 2014

    Newcastle disease is a severe viral disease of poultry and other birds.

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