Members Update #1: Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease

As the situation with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Indonesia continues to evolve, Livestock SA urges all livestock producers to be alert but not alarmed and be extra vigilant with any visitors and workers that have recently been overseas.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has received confirmation that provincial authorities have notified the Counsel General in Bali of a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Bali.

Indonesia has increased surveillance and awareness activities due to the incursions of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and FMD and as a consequence there are additional reports and detections, which is a good thing as it demonstrates that the increased activities are effective.

LSD only affects cattle, while FMD affects all animals with cloven hooves such as sheep, cattle, goats and pigs.

In response to the FMD outbreak in Indonesia, Australia’s frontline biosecurity officers are operating with increased vigilance across all flights arriving from Indonesia, including Bali.

Significant preparations are already in place or underway from the national level all the way down to individual farm level to support our response and recovery, should these diseases arrive.

Livestock SA is working closely with Industry, PIRSA, SADA and Pork SA on state level preparedness and response activities.

Good biosecurity practices and early detection are essential to reduce the potential impact of these diseases.

Producers are urged to exercise vigilance on-farm by:

• Making sure you are aware of the symptoms of lumpy skin disease in cattle, and FMD in cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
• If you suspect LSD or FMD in your livestock, immediately calling the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888
• Adhering to all traceability obligations, including ensuring all documentation is correctly completed
• Reviewing your on-farm biosecurity plan.
• Limiting access to your property for all non-essential visitors/workers who have recently been overseas.
• Ensuring all visitors and workers returning from overseas wear clean clothes and shoes on property. We encourage people to dispose of any footwear worn in Indonesia (ideally by leaving in Indonesia).

There are no safety implications for the human food chain from an outbreak of LSD or FMD. Australian meat processing standards also ensure no animals with signs of disease enter the food chain.

Australia is currently free from both diseases and our priority is to keep it that way, but we can’t take that for granted.

For more information contact Livestock SA on 08 8297 2299 or admin@livestocksa.org.au.