Australia’s freedom from lumpy skin disease

Australia’s excellent animal health surveillance system and effective emergency animal disease (EAD) response arrangements mean a change in animal health status would be detected, reported and dealt with rapidly.

This report provides detailed information on Australia’s animal health systems and LSD freedom status.

It demonstrates that:

• LSD has never occurred in Australia
• Australia is free from LSD infection in accordance with the provisions of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
• LSD is nationally notifiable in Australia
• Australia’s animal health surveillance system and underpinning activities support early detection and provide evidence for freedom from LSD infection
• Trading partners can have confidence in Australia’s status as free from LSD infection
• Australia has a demonstrated history of timely disease notification
• Australia’s surveillance system achieves a high surveillance sensitivity
• The absence of reports of LSD strongly supports Australia’s free status, as does data generated from targeted surveillance activities
• Many exclusion tests are undertaken for LSD each year
• Australia has a key focus on preventing entry of LSD into Australia
• Established surveillance, preparedness and response arrangements mean that Australia would promptly detect and respond effectively to an outbreak of LSD if it were to occur
• Australia is committed to meeting all reporting obligations as a member of the WOAH and to immediately notify trading partners of any EAD.