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

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.
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.
Kikuyu poisoning in livestock

29 January 2018

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

25 March 2015

Selenium (Se) is now recognised as an essential trace element for ruminants.
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.
Newcastle disease

12 May 2014

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

9 December 2013

Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by an influenza virus.
Copper deficiency in sheep and cattle

22 July 2014

Copper is an essential trace element for animals needed for body, bone and wool growth, pigmentation, healthy nerve fibres and white blood cell function.
Cobalt deficiency in sheep and cattle

22 July 2014

All ruminants (including sheep, cattle and goats) require cobalt in their diet for the synthesis of vitamin B12.