Figure 3.2 Distribution of anthrax testing in Victoria, 2016 from toxic plants), abortion in ewes and laboratory diagnostic tests, particularly if an nutritional diseases (including deficiencies). EAD was suspected. No EADs were detected Internal parasitism continues to be a major during the reporting period. However, the cause of mortality in lambs, although it was newly emerging condition upper alimentary not reported in goats during 2015–16. No ulcerative syndrome was detected (see EADs were detected. Section 1.2.1). A range of diseases were recorded in goat The difference from previous years in the flocks as individual diagnoses: goitre (iodine proportion of cases diagnosed as endemic deficiency) in kids, and deaths due to tetanus, infectious disease and metabolic disease enterotoxaemia, oxalate poisoning and appears to be due to the inclusion of calves in colibacillosis. the project in 2016. These findings demonstrate the project’s Sheep and Goat Mortality value, both in establishing a baseline of Surveillance Project disease in the Victorian sheep and goat population, and in investigating causes of The Sheep and Goat Mortality Surveillance abortion in these species. Agriculture Project aims to determine the causes of death Victoria animal health staff receive training in of sheep and goats of all ages (excluding disease investigation techniques, including perinatal deaths), and to investigate causes on-farm necropsies, as a result of this of abortion in ewes and does. The Victorian project. Sheep and Goat Compensation Fund and Agriculture Victoria co-fund the project. Saleyards and Abattoirs Surveillance During 2015–16, 102 mortality investigations Project were conducted in flocks and 7 in goat herds. Table 3.5 shows the conditions The Saleyards and Abattoirs Surveillance diagnosed during 2015–16. Project contributes substantially to Victoria’s disease surveillance strategy. Endemic infectious diseases accounted Victorian saleyards and abattoirs process for a significant number of diagnoses in more than 15 million sheep annually, sheep. Other frequent diagnoses included providing convenient and effective aggregation points noninfectious conditions (including poisonings
Figure 3.2 Distribution of anthrax testing in Victoria, 2016 laboratory diagnostic tests, particularly if an EAD was suspected. No EADs were detected during the reporting period. However, the newly emerging condition upper alimentary ulcerative syndrome was detected (see Section 1.2.1). The difference from previous years in the proportion of cases diagnosed as endemic infectious disease and metabolic disease appears to be due to the inclusion of calves in the project in 2016. Sheep and Goat Mortality Surveillance Project The Sheep and Goat Mortality Surveillance Project aims to determine the causes of death of sheep and goats of all ages (excluding perinatal deaths), and to investigate causes of abortion in ewes and does. The Victorian Sheep and Goat Compensation Fund and Agriculture Victoria co-fund the project. During 2015–16, 102 mortality investigations were conducted in flocks and 7 in goat herds. Table 3.5 shows the conditions diagnosed during 2015–16. Endemic infectious diseases accounted for a significant number of diagnoses in sheep. Other frequent diagnoses included noninfectious conditions (including poisonings from toxic plants), abortion in ewes and nutritional diseases (including deficiencies). Internal parasitism continues to be a major cause of mortality in lambs, although it was not reported in goats during 2015–16. No EADs were detected. A range of diseases were recorded in goat flocks as individual diagnoses: goitre (iodine deficiency) in kids, and deaths due to tetanus, enterotoxaemia, oxalate poisoning and colibacillosis. These findings demonstrate the project’s value, both in establishing a baseline of disease in the Victorian sheep and goat population, and in investigating causes of abortion in these species. Agriculture Victoria animal health staff receive training in disease investigation techniques, including on-farm necropsies, as a result of this project. Saleyards and Abattoirs Surveillance Project The Saleyards and Abattoirs Surveillance Project contributes substantially to Victoria’s disease surveillance strategy. Victorian saleyards and abattoirs process more than 15 million sheep annually, providing convenient and effective aggregation points
Animal-Health-in-Victoria-2016_Text-only.docx