How does an emergency animal disease response work?

An outbreak of a serious emergency animal disease can be disastrous for producers, causing significant personal stress and anguish as well as financial hardship. The livestock industries can lose sales opportunities both domestically and internationally in the wake of a damaged reputation for our produce, and the broader Australian economy could lose billions in trade and employment.  

Emergency disease control requires a coordinated response drawing on significant resources and input from all tiers of government and a range of industry groups.

State/Territory level

When an outbreak of an emergency animal disease is confirmed, the state or territory authority will quarantine the infected property immediately. They may also quarantine other properties, such as those close to the infected property or because of recent animal, people or vehicle movement.

They also advise the Australian Government, the other states and territories and the national organisations of the affected industries so that management groups can convene and that agreed consultative disease management and funding arrangements can be put into place.

The state Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO)

• initiates quarantine, movement controls and assessments around the initial site
• alerts state emergency-management agencies to activate the animal diseases emergency plan
• consults with national counterparts and advisors to seek agreement on the preferred national control strategy

Field activities are controlled from a local disease control centre usually established in the vicinity of the outbreak. State-wide measures are directed from the state disease control headquarters.

National level

During an outbreak, a high-level committee of chief executives of government parties and senior livestock industry personnel is formed to manage response plans and budgets. This committee, National Management Group, is also responsible for decision making on policy and resource allocation issues.

This committee is advised by the Consultative Committee for Emergency Animal Disease which includes state Chief Veterinary Officers and other personnel with relevant technical expertise, including industry representatives.

In an animal health emergency, a national disease control headquarters is established in Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This is responsible for coordinating eradication nationally and for trade negotiations. It also coordinates resources overseas through the International Veterinary reserve, if international assistance is required.

How big are the quarantine areas?

Usually guidelines for quarantine cover at least a 5km radius from the initial case, although this may vary depending on the situation.  Factors such as the disease involved, the terrain of the area, and the local livestock affected will influence the size of the quarantine area.

Why is tracing necessary?

Successful disease control depends on fast, accurate tracing. Considerable expert resources will be dedicated to investigating movement on and off infected properties to determine where the disease might have come from, and where it might have been spread to. A specific "disease tracing" section is set up in each local disease control centre, and usually involves local expertise to make follow up more efficient.

You can speed up tracing by maintaining detailed records of stock and people movement on your property. Download a printable Farm Biosecurity Visitor Register (94 KB) .

How long will eradication take?

How long it takes to eradicate a disease depends on the disease and how soon it's detected. All Australian response arrangements aim to eradicate serious livestock diseases rapidly, so early recognition of anything unusual in your livestock, and notifying a vet, stock inspector or the free call Emergency Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888 is critical.

When will freedom from a disease be achieved?

Freedom from a serious emergency animal disease (EAD) is declared only when all known infected animals have recovered, or in some cases been destroyed, and surveillance shows livestock are clear of residual infection. As surveillance has to include a proper survey of all exposed livestock, it may take weeks or even months. Other countries may also demand that a certain amount of time passes before they will recognise freedom from the disease and reopen export markets.

Preventing a disease outbreak

That's exactly what Farm Biosecurity is all about - simple biosecurity measures will go a long way towards preventing a disease or detecting it quickly. In the event of an outbreak, good farm biosecurity is critical to assist the eradication process. Everyone must play their part.