The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has showcased its role in preventing and responding to exotic animal diseases at the recent Western Australian Environmental Health Association conference.
DPIRD said that at the conference, its veterinarians delivered presentations on the Department’s response to the serious canine disease, ehrlichiosis, and on actions to prevent livestock diseases from occurring in WA.
Veterinary officer with DPIRD, Jess Longley provided an overview of the Department’s ongoing response to the detection of the tick-borne disease in northern WA.
“Ehrlichiosis is a serious disease of dogs that occurs when an infected brown dog tick bites the dog,” Dr Longley said.
“The disease is now established in northern WA and the Northern Territory, and infected ticks have been found in northern South Australia,” she said.
“DPIRD is working with affected WA communities and private veterinarians to raise awareness and carry out further surveillance.”
Dr Longley said people should contact a veterinarian if their dog was showing signs of fever, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, loss of appetite, weight loss or bleeding disorders.
Veterinary officer with DPIRD, Martin Matisons said that with threat of African swine fever close to northern Australia, it was vital that WA food businesses were aware of their responsibilities when disposing of food waste.
“Food waste left over from cafes, restaurants and other food outlets could contain or have had contact with meat or non-Australian dairy products,” Dr Matisons said.
“If this food waste or ‘swill’ is fed to pigs, it could introduce diseases, such as African swine fever or foot-and-mouth disease into Australia’s livestock,” he said.
Dr Matisons said it was illegal for food businesses to knowingly supply food waste containing meat, or that had been in contact with meat products, for pig feed.
