Riverina ovine brucellosis eradication continues

District veterinarians from the Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority are reminding producers continuing to restock to ensure their flocks are free from ovine brucellosis.

Colin Peake, Riverina LHPA district vet, says eradication testing in the southwest area of the Riverina LHPA is almost complete and testing will be extended to the rest of the authority.

"Ovine brucellosis is a significant economic sheep disease, caused by a bacterial infection by Brucella ovis mainly of the ram reproductive system," Dr Peake said.

"The source of infection is from the introduction of infected rams, such as bought rams or strays.

"A flock with ovine brucellosis means more rams have to be used over a longer joining period to achieve acceptable lambing rates, resulting in increased farm management costs."

Dr Peake said ovine brucellosis can be diagnosed by careful testicular palpation, and if lumps are found during the palpation the disease can be confirmed with a blood test.

"To eradicate ovine brucellosis from a ram flock, test and slaughter is the only feasible option," said Dr Peake.

"Control and eradication is best achieved with palpation and testing from a month after the rams have been removed from the ewes. Subsequent blood tests should be taken every 30 days, with any rams that react being removed as soon as possible, and eradication achieved when there are two negative tests 60 days apart.

"Once any infection has been eradicated, securing well maintained fencing and buying rams from Ovine Brucellosis Accredited Free Flocks gives the best chance of staying free.

"Palpate rams yearly as part of the culling process and further investigate any rams with lumps."

For more information on ovine brucellosis or the eradication program, contact your local LHPA district vet.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378