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

Pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcaemia of ewes

12 December 2013

Pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcaemia affect lambing ewe flocks and have similar signs but different causes.
Poultry biosecurity checklist for small landholders

2 December 2013

The poultry biosecurity checklist summarises the actions needed to protect your poultry and the Western Australian poultry industry from the devastating effects of emergency diseases such as avian
Slender iceplant poisoning in sheep

4 December 2014

Slender iceplant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, is a small, succulent, winter-growing annual weed, most common in the eastern Wheatbelt.
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.
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.
Newcastle disease

12 May 2014

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