WA Announces Johne's Disease Free Zone Status

AUSTRALIA - Western Australia has maintained its bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) free zone status, with four cattle herds in quarantine now cleared of the disease.

25 February 2009

2 minute read

Oceania

The Department of Agriculture and Food’s animal biosecurity acting director Brad McCormick said there were now no cattle herds currently in quarantine for BJD.

BJD, which is present in low levels in cattle herds in eastern Australia, causes diarrhoea and chronic wasting.

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"The National Animal Health Committee has confirmed WA’s BJD free zone status"

The Department of Agriculture and Food’s animal biosecurity acting director Brad McCormick

Dr McCormick said that as part of the response to the detection of a case of BJD in a beef herd at Albany in July 2006, four herds were quarantined for two years.

“Adult cattle in the herds have now been tested twice with negative results and the herds have been released from quarantine,” he said.

“Following our testing and other surveillance measures for BJD, the National Animal Health Committee has confirmed WA’s BJD free zone status,” Dr McCormick said.

“The BJD free zone status allows WA cattle to be traded to other states without the need for specific movement controls and testing,” he said.

“The cattle industry has strongly supported work that assisted WA to stay free of BJD.

“Dairy Australia paid for the testing of milk and faeces samples from 100 dairy herds and the Cattle Council of Australia provided a rebate for veterinary investigations into cattle with chronic diarrhoea or wasting.

“The WA Cattle Industry Compensation Fund also pays for BJD testing and for compensation for the slaughter of infected or suspect animals,” Dr McCormick said.