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

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    Papaya sticky disease: biosecurity alert

    16 August 2019

    Papaya sticky disease is absent from Western Australia. It has recently been reported from the Northern Territory, after being detected in Queensland in 2014.

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    Blueberry rust

    12 November 2014

    Blueberry rust is a fungal disease that affects blueberries and some relatives in the Ericaceae plant family. The disease was detected in Western Australia in April 2022.

  • PSTVd affects potato plant and tuber development

    Potato spindle tuber viroid: declared pest

    9 July 2014

    Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) is a declared pest in Western Australia. It can significantly reduce crop yields in potatoes and tomatoes.

  • Terms and conditions for DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services (DDLS)

    30 March 2022

    To the extent permitted by law, all dealings between the Department and the Submitting Party relating to the provision of the Testing Services are subject to the following terms and conditions:

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    Onion smut: declared pest

    20 December 2019

    Onion smut (Urocystis cepulae) is a disease of onions. This disease is absent from Western Australia.

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    Tomato yellow leaf curl virus: declared pest

    5 April 2019

    Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a very damaging virus disease of tomato crops in tropical and warm temperate regions of the world, causing losses of up to 100%.

  • A young banana plant with yellowing leaves, a symptom of Panama disease.

    Panama disease in bananas: frequently asked questions

    3 April 2015

    Panama disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is considered one of the most destructive diseases of banana plants worldwide.

  • A young banana plant with yellowing leaves, a symptom of Panama disease.

    Panama disease: declared pest

    5 March 2015

    Panama disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is considered one of the most destructive diseases of banana plants worldwide. It is caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

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    Sending specimens for identification

    18 December 2013

    Information on how to collect a specimen, where to send it for identification and the precautions to consider before collecting any plant or animal specimens.

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    Late blight of potato and tomato: declared pest

    4 April 2019

    Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is considered the most devastating disease of potatoes worldwide and caused the Irish potato famine in the 1840s.

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