Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an arthropod borne viral disease of wild and domestic ruminants that is transmitted between hosts by species of Culicoides biting midges. EHD virus (EHDV) belongs to the genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae and shares many characteristics with other members of the genus including bluetongue virus (BTV). Seven serotypes (1-2 and 4-8) of EHDV are currently recognised of which six have been detected in Australia (1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8). Disease due to EHDV has not been observed in Australia.
While EHDV is capable of infecting wild and domestic ruminants it has predominantly been associated with disease in feral deer, in particular white-tailed deer of North America. Severe clinical signs have also been observed in cattle infected overseas with the Ibaraki strain (EHDV-2) and more recently due to serotypes 6 and 7. Clinical signs when observed are similar to those of severe bluetongue in sheep and may range from peracute illness with death often occurring within 36 hours (particularly white-tailed deer) to more chronic with animals remaining unwell for several weeks.
More specifically, clinical signs reported in white-tailed deer include fever, anorexia, lethargy, lameness, respiratory distress, severe oedema of the head and neck, and ulcers and erosions in the oral cavity, rumen and abomasum; some animals develop extensive haemorrhages in many tissues including the skin and heart. In cattle, the disease is characterised by fever, anorexia, ulcerative stomatitis, swelling of eyelids, respiratory distress, nasal and ocular discharge, redness and scaling of muzzle and lips, lameness, erythema of the udder and difficulty swallowing (Ibaraki disease). Like bluetongue, disease in NSW would be expected to occur in summer or autumn in animals with a history of being present in the bluetongue zone/ecological range of the Culicoides vectors.
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Diagnosis of disease is supported by history, clinical signs, pathology and confirmation of infection by PCR.
Test | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time1 |
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Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease Virus Antibody AGID | Clotted blood | Batch Tested Friday | Up to 7D |
Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease Virus Real–time PCR | EDTA blood, semen, fresh tissue | According to demand | 2-3D |
Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease Virus Isolation | EDTA blood, semen, fresh tissue | According to demand2 | 4W |
Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease Virus Neutralisation Test (All Serotypes) | Clotted blood | Referred to ACDP | Referred to ACDP |
Histopathology examination | Fixed tissues | Monday to Friday | Up to 5D |
1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
2 Please contact Customer Service to discuss requirements before submitting samples for testing
Sample Type | Sample Description | Sample Requirements |
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Clotted blood | Red top tube (without anti-coagulant) | 10ml, submitted chilled |
EDTA | Purple top tube (contains anti-coagulant) | 10ml, submitted chilled |
Fresh tissue | Spleen, lung, lymph node | Submitted chilled |
Fixed tissue | Cardiac and skeletal muscle and other tissues as indicated by gross examination - in neutral buffered formalin | 10:1 ratio, Fixed |
Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.
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CONTACT DETAILS | |
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Phone | 1800 675 623 |
Operating Hours | 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only) |
Postal Address | Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567 |
For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request
For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957
For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103
Veterinary Specimen Advice Form
Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.
For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.
For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.
Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.
Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).
Sample Type | Laboratory | Street Address |
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Animal (including aquatic animals) | NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL) | EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568 |