The Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Mark Schipp and Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Beth Cookson travelled to Indonesia in late May this year to offer Australia’s assistance to combat and contain the outbreaks there of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD).
Indonesia has since made an emergency declaration, implemented movement restrictions, and has sourced and commenced FMD vaccination in some infected provinces. Australia has offered assistance to combat and contain the outbreaks in Indonesia.
Both FMD and LSD are highly contagious viral diseases of livestock. FMD has not been reported in Indonesia since 1984 and LSD has not previously been reported in Indonesia. More information about both diseases can be found in the Emergency Animal Disease Field Guide for Veterinarians.
The detection of FMD in Indonesia in May 2022 followed an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) reported by Indonesia to the OIE on March 2 2022. Until 1984, LSD remained localised within countries of sub-Saharan Africa. However, the disease subsequently spread before emerging in Southeast Asia in 2019 where it has since been reported in 18 countries in our region.
While Indonesia is some distance from Australia, travel, trade, and mail between countries all present potential pathways for disease transmission. This means that the outbreaks in Indonesia increase the risk of LSD or FMD spreading to Australia, and the department continues to assess and take action to reduce this risk (for more information about this visit the department’s web pages for FMD and LSD at awe.gov.au).
Veterinarians can assist by keeping informed about the disease situation and raising livestock owners’ awareness about the heightened risk of these diseases entering Australia, and the impact they could have.
To provide clients with information about these diseases, veterinarians can refer them to the department’s website and the Farm Biosecurity website (www.farmbiosecurity.com.au). The Australian Veterinary Association also provides resources to its members.
Veterinarians can also remind clients that everyone has a role in preventing harmful pests and diseases from entering Australia, and that it is illegal to bring frozen, chilled, and freeze-dried foods, including meat and dairy products, into Australia without an import permit.
Travellers and those ordering goods through the mail can check what is permitted entry to Australia via www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/travelling/bringing-mailing-goods. Travellers from countries affected by FMD also need to ensure all footwear, clothing and equipment is free of mud, animal manure and mucus before returning to Australia.
For veterinarians and others who have been in contact with FMD infected animals or infected areas overseas, it is recommended that they DO NOT visit Australian farms or handle livestock for at least seven days after returning to Australia.
Remember also, if veterinarians suspect signs of FMD, LSD or any other emergency animal disease, they must immediately contact the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. If signs are seen in feral pigs or water buffalo, immediate action also needs to be taken.
Support for livestock veterinarians undertaking disease investigations is also available through the National Significant Disease Investigation Program (animalhealthaustralia.com.au/collaborative-disease-investigations), and through NABSnet (nabsnet.com.au) for veterinarians in northern Australia.
The Emergency Animal Field Guide for Veterinarians can be downloaded at www.outbreak.gov.au/for-vets-and-scientists/emergency-animal-diseases-guide.
This article was supplied by The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.