Emergency animal diseases

All emergency animal diseases must be reported to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 as soon as they are suspected. All animal owners should be aware of the signs of emergency diseases in their livestock or pet animals

Emergency animal diseases have the potential to severely impact Queensland's economy or lifestyle. Some emergency diseases can affect large numbers of animals and have the potential to close Queensland's animal trade and animal products markets. A few serious animal diseases can be transmitted to people (e.g. rabies and bovine spongiform encephalopathy). These are known as zoonoses .

Prohibited matter

Diseases that occur overseas and are not found in Queensland or Australia are classed as prohibited matter . Prohibited matter account for most of the emergency animal diseases. Biosecurity Queensland will establish regulatory controls if these or eradication program if these diseases are confirmed in Queensland.

A large number of prohibited matter will require a response if an outbreak occurs. The following diseases are considered the most significant:

For information on all individual exotic diseases, see Animal Health Australia.

Category 1 restricted matter

There are a few diseases that exist in Australia that occasionally require an emergency response. Examples are: