Australia stands at the ready to assist Indonesia following the confirmed detection of lumpy skin disease there.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said Indonesia notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) yesterday of detection of lumpy skin disease in cattle across 31 villages in Riau Province.
“Australia stands ready to assist Indonesia and our other near neighbours to respond to this outbreak and my department is actively engaging with senior officials there,” Minister Littleproud said.
“My department will examine all available options to contain the spread of this disease in Indonesia and across the region.
“Australian development programs in Indonesia are already providing technical support.
“I know our biosecurity system is ready to meet the increased threat level this detection presents and continues to protect our agriculture export industries.
“We have reviewed existing onshore biosecurity measures relating to risk pathways and surveillance.
“And our Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, working with state and territory governments, continues to undertake targeted surveillance activities across our north.”
Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp, said the department has been working with Australia’s cattle industry, associated industries, state and territory agriculture departments, and farming groups to raise awareness of this biosecurity threat.
“This is a very serious disease of cattle and buffalo, causing painful skin lesions, fever, watery eyes, loss of appetite, sluggishness and in some cases death,” Dr Schipp said.
“The department is alert to this threat and is already working to mitigate the risks and potential impacts of this disease outbreak in our region.
“It is critical that cattle producers are aware of what lumpy skin disease looks like, and report any signs of the disease observed in their cattle immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
“All livestock owners should have stringent biosecurity measures in place on their property, including accurate records of livestock movement.
“We are also asking people up in the Top End who may be around cattle or water buffalo, to be particularly vigilant and to report the disease if they see suspicious signs in these animals.”
