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 mob of sheep has been yarded with the closest sheep having visible areas of pulled wool over the entire fleece but very apparent in the flank area.

    Prevent sheep lice with biosecurity and planning

    6 December 2013

    Sheep farmers can save money and time eradicating new lice infestations by taking simple biosecurity measures that become part of normal management programs.

  • Merino ewes being moved onto dry stubble.

    Sheep worms – sustainable summer-autumn worm control

    5 December 2013

    A summer drenching program for sheep worm control is now recognised as a key cause of drench resistance in Western Australia.

  • Flystrike Assist home screen

    Flystrike management tools

    18 November 2013

    To make sure that any chemical application doesn’t leave you short on protection or break your withholding periods,  the Flystrike Assist application (mobile app for iOS and Android) has been devel

  • An unmarked lamb in the yard

    Managing flystrike in sheep

    29 November 2013

    Flystrike is a significant health and welfare risk to Australian sheep and costs $280 million annually.

  • Itch mite as seen under a microscope, from skin scraping.

    Itch mite in sheep

    5 December 2013

    Itch mites are small, barely visible parasites of sheep; they live on the skin surface and cause rubbing and fleece chewing in a small proportion of infested animals.

  • Sheep grazing green pastures in warm times of the year may be at risk of haemonchosis.

    Barber's pole worm in sheep

    2 December 2013

    Barber's pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is a potentially harmful roundworm parasite of sheep which can cause a disease called haemonchosis.

  • A lousy sheep showing biting behaviour and rubbed fleece.

    Sheep lice spread and detection

    3 December 2013

    The most common lice affecting sheep are body lice (Bovicola ovis).

  • A nasal bot with a size of 4cm.

    Nasal bots in sheep

    26 November 2013

    Nasal bots are the maggots or larvae of the sheep nasal bot fly, Oestrus ovis.

  • Drenching weaner Merino sheep with a drenching gun.

    Sheep parasites

    9 December 2013

    The impact of parasites on sheep can range from being virtually undetectable, through to obvious clinical signs or even death.

  • Drenching weaner Merino sheep with a drenching gun.

    Sheep worm control in Western Australia

    5 December 2013

    Gastro-intestinal worm infections in sheep are a major cause of lost productivity to the Western Australian (WA) sheep industry and control has become more complex due to widespread drench resistan

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