The Chief Veterinary Officer of Australia, Dr Mark Schipp, made a statement on Sunday the 30 July 2023 confirming that Lumpy Skin Disease (or LSD) has never been detected in Australia, and Australia remains free from the disease.
Lumpy Skin Disease is a highly infectious viral disease of cattle and buffalo that causes relatively low mortality—it is not a disease that poses a risk to humans. The disease is present in Indonesia and is mainly spread by biting insects including flies, mosquitos, and ticks.
Detection of Lumpy Skin Disease in Australian exported cattle to Indonesia
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been advised by the Indonesian Agriculture and Quarantine Agency that LSD has been detected in a small number of exported Australian cattle in Indonesia, after those cattle had arrived and spent time in Indonesia.
Given the presence of the disease in Indonesia, positive results in Australian cattle post arrival are not unexpected.
Australia is continuing to work closely with the Indonesian Agriculture and Quarantine Agency to provide assurance that all animals exported from Australia comply with all Indonesian requirements, including being free of LSD.
Importantly, trade is and can continue to Indonesia from 28 Australian export establishments, however there are 4 export establishments in Northern Australia who are working with the government to further ensure they are disease free.
In response to this event, the Australian Government has activated its Response Coordination Group, held several briefings with State and Territory Ministers, their respective Chief Veterinary Officers and peak industry bodies.
The government has also met with Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia and other departmental officers who are on the ground in Jakarta and to allay any further fears that LSD is present in Australia, and begun the process of rapid diagnostic testing of cattle across Northern Australia to maintain our proof of absence.
AHAs role in national surveillance of animal diseases
Australia has robust systems in place for the ongoing monitoring of Australia’s animal disease status including for LSD.
Under the Australian constitution, the Australian Government is responsible for quarantine and international animal health matters, including disease surveillance reporting to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), export certification and trade negotiation.
AHA supports the detection of significant animal diseases by coordinating and managing Australia’s key animal health surveillance programs, including veterinary investigations, laboratory expertise, and reporting mechanisms. We aim and support to increase the quantity and quality of livestock and wildlife disease investigations nationally, to maintain proof of freedom and market access.
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