Emergency Animal Disease Update (FMD/LSD) – what the AVA has been doing – week ending 22nd July

Minister Watt  has annocunced pork products have been removed from supermarket shelves after viral fragments of both foot and mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF) were detected during testing. This find does not change Australia’s disease-free status for FMD and ASF. For more information please see the ministers release.

As outlined in the previous update the AVA has been actively engaging in EAD preparedness for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) where we are able to contribute.

This week has been a busy week for EAD preparedness with several national workshops taking place in Canberra. AVA has been represented by Dr Bronwyn Orr, AVA President and Dr Tracy Sullivan, President – Australian Cattle Veterinarians (ACV) SIG at the following workshops:

• Animal Health Australia AUSVETPLAN workshop – major review of the AUSVETPLAN response strategies for lumpy skin disease 
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry lumpy skin disease National Consultation Workshop 3 – international engagement and trade protocols.  
• Animal Health Australia AUSVETPLAN workshop – major review of the AUSVETPLAN response strategies for foot-and-mouth disease 

The online training that is currently available for veterinary teams includes: 

• The Emergency Animal Disease Foundation courses - found at the Animal Health Australia  
• Foot-and-mouth disease online training for veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals 
• Lumpy skin disease awareness program – found at Mintrac 

The AVA and ACV has partnered with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to produce a differential diagnosis for Lumpy Skin Disease chart. A similar chart for foot-and-mouth disease is in the works. 

The  AVA Emergency Animal Disease site and the associated Lumpy Skin Disease page and Foot and Mouth Disease page contain updates and links to numerous useful resources. These pages will be updated as information comes to hand. We will also continue to keep AVA members informed of our advocacy in this space.