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

  • Cattle can be affected by anthrax

    Anthrax

    14 September 2015

    Anthrax is a bacterial disease of animals, most commonly seen in cattle, sheep and goats.

  • Five-day foot bathing treatment of ovine footrot

    5 March 2019

    Five-day foot bathing is a treatment option that can be used as a disease reduction measure in winter, spring, or at the start of summer to treat clinically mild forms of footrot in sheep.

  • Scrapie

    10 July 2014

    Australia is free of scrapie, which is a fatal, progressive, degenerative disease of the central nervous system of sheep and goats.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Trail feeding of ewes in late summer on dry pasture.

    Pulpy kidney (enterotoxaemia) of sheep

    12 December 2013

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

  • Sheep with photosensitisation; exposed raw tissue on the face and muzzle

    Photosensitisation in livestock

    11 December 2013

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

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    Arthritis in sheep

    29 November 2013

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

  • Cow and sheep grazing in paddock

    Brucellosis in animals

    25 July 2016

    Brucellosis is an economically important bacterial disease of animals that can also affect people.

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    Thiamine deficiency induced polioencephomalacia (PEM) of sheep and cattle

    28 November 2013

    Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is normally produced by bacteria in the rumen of cattle and sheep on well-balanced roughage diets.

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