Information for vets

Emergency animal diseases

Report unusual disease signs, abnormal behaviour or unexplained deaths in livestock and other animals. If you suspect an emergency animal disease, don’t delay! Ring the 24 hour hotline: 1800 675 888.

Use the Surveillance forms to collect relevant information about any suspect emergency incident. Please note that you will need to fill out the following (unless tasked to do more):

The completed forms should be faxed to 02 6361 9976 or emailed to biosecurity@industry.nsw.gov.au.

Emergency animal diseases include:

Laboratory submissions

The vet lab manual provides detailed information to assist in the investigation of animal diseases.

A completed lab submission form must accompany all diagnostic laboratory samples.

For advice on laboratory submissions contact the State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (SVDL) at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI), Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568 on 02 4640 6327 or 1800 675623 during office hours. After hours, the duty veterinary pathologist may be contacted on 0411 030451. If you are unable to contact the SDVL, call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888

The Departments pays courier charges for the transport of diagnostic samples sent to the SVDL at EMAI and where required for transport of diagnostic samples on to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong. 

The laboratory has accounts with three nominated couriers in NSW (TNT, Toll Priority and Metrostate). Submitters sending samples through TNT and Toll Priority need to advise the courier of the account number. No account number is required for samples being sent to EMAI with Metrostate:

  • TNT Account number 21857635
  • Toll Priority Account number 20013X
  • Metrostate No account number required.

The National Significant Diseases Investigation Program (NSDIP) provides limited funds for investigation of possible significant new and emerging diseases. The Department's Regional Veterinary Officer for your locality can provide more details. Any submissions for NSDIP funding must include a completed ROADE form (128 kb, DOC).

Avian paramyxovirus in pigeons

A strain of Avian paramyxovirus not previously found in Australia has been confirmed as causing deaths in a number of hobby pigeon flocks in Victoria. The affected birds have died suddenly in large numbers (50-100%). Some have appeared tired or have shown neurological signs such as circling or head flicking before death. At this stage, there are no reports of this virus causing disease in other states including NSW, or in wild birds or other types of domestic or commercial birds.

Avian Paramyxovirus has been declared as a notifiable emergency animal disease.Report suspicion of disease to the Technical Specialist Poultry on 02 4640 6402 or by phoning the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Flavivirus nervous disease in horses

Since February there have been an increased number of reports of NSW horses displaying unusual nervous signs. Laboratory testing suggests that a majority of cases are due to infection with one or more Australian strains of mosquito-borne Flaviviruses that includes viruses like Murray Valley encephalitis virus and Kunjin virus.

Theileria infection

There has been an increase in the prevalence of Bovine anaemia caused by Theileria orientalis group in NSW. Initially cases were seen predominantly in coastal areas, and then tableland districts. More recently cases have occurred in slopes areas. Veterinarians should be aware that the disease may occur in new areas. A survey of affected properties indicates that disease outside coastal districts has generally been associated with movement of coastal cattle. The Primefact provides information to vets and farmers how to manage the disease. Further work is underway to improve our understanding of the condition and develop improved treatment and prevention options.

Legislation

The NSW Primary Industries legislation page provides links to all the legislation that is administered by the NSW Minister for Primary Industries.

There is a requirement on all veterinarians to notify the Department or a Livestock Health and Pest Authority if they know or suspect the presence of a notifiable animal disease.

Contact staff in Animal Biosecurity

If you have a general query or concern about animal diseases please email staff in Animal Biosecurity at biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Chemical training

In NSW, under the Pesticides Act 1999, veterinary treatments applied externally for ectoparasites are categorised as pesticides. Anyone applying such treatments to farmed animals has to comply with the training requirements of the Pesticides Regulation 2009. One day training for Veterinarians & Livestock Professionals (37kb PDF) is available. 

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