Emergency Animal Disease Update
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
FMD can infect cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, camelids and deer.
Sheep are not as severely affected but still present with lameness and lesions.
Pigs shed a large amount of the virus, hence producers who live near piggeries should ensure they have a clear biosecurity plan in place. Click the link below for an on-farm biosecurity plan template.
FMD is transferred through close contact between infective and non-infective animals, typically by inhaling or ingesting viral particles.
It is predicted it will cost the Australian livestock industry $80 billion, primarily from the immediate shut down of export markets, over a 10 year period if introduced to Australia.
The current AUSVET Plan in response to an FMD outbreak in Australia, is as follows:
Surveillance
Tracing
Movement restrictions
Vaccinations
Decontamination
Destruction & Disposal
Traceability is important in identifying the movement of potentially infective livestock. At this stage, the NSW government have agreed to implement mandatory eIDs, a date yet to be finalized. It will likely be a staged roll out, where animals born after the roll out date must receive an eID and this will continue until all remaining animals have eIDs. The current AUSVET Plan in response to an FMD outbreak in Australia, is as follows:
Surveillance
Tracing
Movement restrictions
Vaccinations
Decontamination
Destruction & Disposal
Traceability is important in identifying the movement of potentially infective livestock. At this stage, the NSW government have agreed to implement mandatory eIDs, a date yet to be finalized. It will likely be a staged roll out, where animals born after the roll out date must receive an eID and this will continue until all remaining animals have eIDs.
The SheepMetriX team specialise in eID - if you need assistance implementing eID’s on your farm, contact us via the form on our website and we will be in touch
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)
LSD is currently only a threat to cattle and buffalo.
At the moment, there is a higher chance of LSD entering Australia than FMD because of the limited control we have over the vectors.
It is carried by any airborne insects that bite such as mosquitos, and like FMD is present in our neighboring countries.
The clinical signs of LSD in cattle include skin nodules, nose and eye discharge, enlarged lymph nodes and more.
The virus can also be transferred via livestock vessels, as the lumps contain a high viral load and when they burst, can contaminate the surroundings.
For more information about FMD and LSD, visit the Local Land Services or Meat and Livestock Australia website.
If you suspect your livestock have FMD or LSD, urgently contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on
1800 675 888