Ehrlichia canis is no longer nationally notifiable

‘Infection with Ehrlichia canis’ has been removed from the national list of notifiable animal diseases and canine ehrlichiosis is no longer considered a notifiable incident in Queensland. Disease management is now focused on tick prevention and early detection and treatment.

Canine ehrlichiosis is now established across most of northern Australia including Queensland, and dog owners and carers have a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) under the Biosecurity Act 2014 to take all reasonable steps to prevent its spread. The cost of managing suspect or confirmed infected dogs (e.g. containment, testing, treatment, monitoring, euthanasia) are to be covered by the animal owner as part of managing their GBO.

Most dogs can be protected from ehrlichiosis using an effective tick prevention and control program that includes topically applied acaracides that repel and kill on contact. Although systemically acting products (tablets or chewables) are highly effective in killing the brown dog tick and helpful in reducing the rate of community transmission, these products do not prevent transmission of E. canis to dogs.

The severity of clinical signs with ehrlichiosis can vary considerably among dogs and includes fever, lethargy, anorexia, enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, discharge from the nose and eyes, and bleeding disorders.

E. canis can be detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or serology. Serological tests include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Contact your commercial veterinary laboratory for information on testing availability. Alternatively, the PCR and ELISA is available at the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory on a fee-for-service basis.

Positive detections in Queensland no longer need to be reported to Biosecurity Queensland.

All veterinarians treating dogs in Queensland should become familiar with the clinical signs, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of ehrlichiosis.

For more information visit:

• Ehrlichia canis information for veterinarians – Biosecurity Queensland (business.qld.gov.au)
• National list of notifiable animal diseases – Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (agriculture.gov.au)