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September 2018 edition

Events last year relating to the finding of evidence of exposure of Victorian cattle to bluetongue virus served as a timely reminder that we live in a world full of evolving challenges. Recent developments with lumpy skin disease, classical swine fever and African swine fever only serve to reinforce this message and highlight the need for all veterinary practitioners to be aware of the international animal disease situation and be alert to the possibility of an emergency animal disease incursion locally.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a disease of cattle and buffalo caused by a capripox virus. The virus is transmitted through direct contact, arthropod vectors and iatrogenically, but does not cause disease in humans. LSD has not been previously diagnosed in Australia, however, since 2012, the disease has spread from Africa and the Middle East into south-eastern Europe and has caused significant economic loss.

Many of you will be aware of the recent diagnosis of classical swine fever in Japan (the first case of this serious disease in that country for 26 years) and the introduction for the first time, of African swine fever into China.

African swine fever (ASF) is of huge significance for China as the world's largest pig producer. To date there have been seven outbreaks in geographically separate parts of the country. Whilst the risk to Australia remains low Agriculture Victoria has produced an information sheet (available at the VetWatch website) to heighten awareness of this disease so that if the disease were to be introduced it can be identified and eradicated quickly. Other useful sources of information on ASF are the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/home/en/news_archive/2017_New_field_manual_on_African_swine_fever.html) and the world organisation for animal health (OIE) (http://www.oie.int/en/animal-health-in-the-world/animal-diseases/african-swine-fever/)

Another subject that is critically important for the veterinary profession is that of antimicrobial resistance and stewardship and I am delighted that Victoria hosted a national workshop recently to develop a workplan which will identify how the national antimicrobial stewardship strategy will be implemented in the animal sphere. Already, progress has been made in restricting the use of medically important antimicrobials as growth promoters and attention is now turning to restricting the use of these drugs in the prophylactic treatment of animals. It was refreshing to see industry and the veterinary profession taking ownership of the issue and advocating a proactive approach.

Finally, a reminder - Useful information that is specifically tailored for Victorian veterinary practitioners is available at VetSource.

I hope you enjoy this edition of VetWatch.

Regards, Charles Milne Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO)

A version of this edition is also published on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Welcome to Vet Watch

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Victorian Surveillance – All Species Victorian animal health data are collected from a number of sources, including targeted surveillance activities, monitoring programs, disease control programs, diagnostic laboratories, livestock producers and field investigations conducted by Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) and private veterinary practitioners. This summary is based on field investigations reported to DEDJTR. There were 505 cases investigated in Victoria between 1 May – 31 July 2018*. The most frequently reported diseases in each species are listed below.

* Based on disease investigations reported to Agriculture Victoria

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Cattle

Table 1 shows the most frequently observed cattle diseases during the period. It does not include investigations where no definitive diagnosis was made. Cases of clinical disease where no definitive disease agent was identified were reviewed in the context of the surrounding circumstances, and exotic or emergency diseases were excluded where appropriate. Salmonella continues to be the major cause of disease in cattle. The cases were almost exclusively in dairy cattle and affected both adults and calves. Table 1 Most commonly diagnosed diseases of cattle 1 May 2018 – 31 July 2018

Disease Northern South East South West

Salmonellosis (general) 9 18 31

Bovine viral diarrhoea/pestivirus (not type 2) 4 15 5

Internal parasites-helminths 4 5 6

Cryptosporidiosis 5 2 4

Paratuberculosis (Johnes disease) 3 6 0

E.coli (not verocytotoxigenic) 2 2 3

Rotavirus 3 3 1

Sheep

There were 97 disease investigations reported to DEDJTR between 1 May and 31 July 2018. Table 2 shows the most frequently observed sheep diseases during the period. It does not include investigations where no definitive diagnosis was made. Cases of clinical disease where no definitive disease agent was identified were reviewed in the context of the surrounding circumstances, and exotic or emergency diseases were excluded where appropriate

Table 2 Most commonly diagnosed diseases of sheep 1 May 2018 – 31 July 2018 Disease Northern South East South West

Internal parasites-helminths 6 1 4

Pregnancy toxaemia 5 1 3

Hypocalcaemia 2 1 2

Listeriosis 0 1 4

Paratuberculosis (Johnes disease) 1 0 4

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Horses

There were 19 horse disease investigations reported between 1 May and 31 July this year. The diseases diagnosed are listed in Table 3. It does not include three investigations where no definitive diagnosis was made. Cases of clinical disease where no definitive disease agent was identified were reviewed in the context of the surrounding circumstances, and exotic or emergency diseases were excluded, where appropriate. Strangles was confirmed in eight of the cases (from seven different properties). Table 3 Diagnosed diseases of horses 1 May 2018 – 31 July 2018 Disease Northern South East South West

Strangles 1 6 1

Septic shock 0 0 1

Streptococcus (not notifiable spp.) 0 1 0

Toxicity - pyrrolizidine alkaloid 0 0 1

Trauma 1 0 0

Poultry

ILT continues to be the most common disease of poultry with the majority of the cases in commercial flocks located in the southern areas of Victoria.

Table 4 Most commonly diagnosed diseases of poultry 1 May 2018 – 31 July 2018 Disease Northern South East South West

Infectious laryngotracheitis 2 6 5

Marek’s disease 0 0 2

Clostridium sp 0 1 0

E.coli (not verocytotoxigenic) 0 0 1

Infectious coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum) 0 0 1

Other (nutritional/toxicity/peritonitis) 2 0 1

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Pigs

There were 18 investigations reported to DEDJTR between 1 May and 31 July 2018. Investigations were predominantly from northern Victoria, the area of greatest pig density (Table 5). The table does not include cases where no definitive diagnosis was made. Cases of clinical disease where no definitive disease agent was identified were reviewed in the context of the surrounding circumstances, and exotic or emergency diseases were excluded, where appropriate. Table 5 Most commonly diagnosed diseases of pigs 1 May 2018 – 31 July 2018 Disease Northern South East South West

Pasteurella multocida 3 0 0

Salmonellosis (general) 1 0 2

Brachyspira pilosicoli 2 0 0

E.coli (not verocytotoxigenic) 2 0 0

Brachyspira hyodysenteriae 1 0 0

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae 1 0 0

Trauma 1 0 0

Are we FMD ready? What happens when a group of livestock producers, their industry representatives and other private business and government stakeholders get together to think about animal health surveillance and disease management?

The innovative project, called ‘FMD Ready’, is looking at ways to improve partnerships on the ground, to enhance regular monitoring of the health of animals including reporting of unusual disease signs to assist with early detection and rapid and effective response to the introduction and spread of significant diseases.

As part of the FMD Ready project, a team from CSIRO, Charles Sturt University and the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) in partnership with farmers, livestock industries and state governments is establishing the following innovation pilot groups within the pork, dairy, sheep, goat and beef industries in Australia.

The project uses Agricultural Innovation Systems to assist the pilot groups to investigate challenges, develop and trial innovative solutions for continuous vigilance and improvement in animal health surveillance in Australia.

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For more information regarding the project, please contact:

Dr Yiheyis Maru: yiheyis.maru@csiro.au

Dr Marta Hernandez–Jover: mhernandez-jover@csu.edu.au

Dr Jennifer Manyweathers: jmanyweathers@csu.edu.au

Or check the monthly updates at CSIRO foot and mouth disease: Farmer-led surveillance

This project is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program, and by producer levies from Australian FMD-susceptible livestock (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) industries and Charles Sturt University (CSU), leveraging significant in-kind support from the research partners. The research partners for this project are the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), CSU through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, supported by Animal Health Australia (AHA). The project commenced in July 2016 and will conclude in June 2020.

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Epidemiology of an outbreak: Group A rotavirus in Victorian racing pigeons

Rotaviruses cause acute gastroenteritis across a range of species, including humans, mammals and birds. A novel Group A rotavirus, first identified clinically in racing, feral and fancy pigeons in Western Australia in May 2016, had spread throughout Australia by March 2017. Anecdotal evidence, including social media reports, indicate that up to 100 lofts per state may have been infected. The true total number of infected pigeons in Australia remains unknown, but is estimated to have reached up to 100,000 cases, with several thousand deaths (Walker C, pers comm).

Figure 1. Geographic location of confirmed cases of rotavirus infection in Australian pigeons between May 2016 and June 2018 (yellow circles).

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In December 2016, the index case of rotavirus in Victorian racing pigeons was confirmed at a regional bird sale, with rapid spread to Melbourne. According to laboratory records to June 2018, seventeen fanciers, predominately located in peri-urban Melbourne, owned infected racing pigeons. Clinical signs included a reluctance to move, fluffed appearance, quiet demeanour, vomiting, diarrhoea and sudden death. Gross findings at autopsy were generally mild and non-specific. The characteristic histological finding was variably severe hepatic necrosis.

A survey was sent to approximately 400 Victorian pigeon fanciers in March 2017, with eight (of 85 respondents; 9.4%) identified with a confirmed rotavirus infection in their loft(s). In these lofts, a total of 281 pigeons were observed with clinical signs, with approximately 75% of affected birds recovering. There is evidence that these ‘carrier’ birds may continue to inconsistently shed low levels of rotavirus post-recovery for up to 10 weeks. A mean of 30 hours was recorded from the onset of typical clinical signs of rotavirus until death (range: 12 hours to 48 hours).

No other birds (e.g. chickens) were observed with clinical signs or diagnosed with a rotavirus infection on affected properties. Within the racing pigeon industry there are consistent opportunities for contact between pigeons within a loft and between pigeons from different lofts. Pigeons from a home loft will contact birds from other lofts in trailers prior to tosses and races, as well as during training around the home loft. It was found that rotavirus was primarily transmitted beyond the Victorian index case through the movement of live birds into a loft, either deliberately through bird purchase and/or inadvertently through the entry of pigeons from neighbouring lofts.

As pigeon racing inherently requires consistent contact between birds from different lofts, vaccination is recommended as a primary method of rotavirus control in this unique industry. A subunit vaccine has been developed, with early trials indicating the production of protective levels of immunity in live pigeons. Those interested in the vaccine release date are referred to the Melbourne Bird Vet webpage for updates: http://www.melbournebirdvet.com/pigeon-virus-update.aspx

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Increase in strangles cases in Victorian horses

Remember: All suspected or confirmed cases of strangles must be reported to Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer within seven days

Strangles is an infectious disease of horses, donkeys and mules caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. Outbreaks of strangles may occur when different groups of horses mix together (e.g. at an equestrian event) or after the introduction of a new horse(s) onto a property. It is usually more common in younger horses; however, horses of any age can become infected.

July saw a significant increase in the number of cases of strangles reported to DEDJTR; there were eight cases from 7 different properties (Figure 1). Most of the cases were located in the south-east region of Victoria (Figure 2).

Figure 1 Reported cases of Strangles in Victorian horses from 1 January 2017 to 31 July 2018.

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Figure 2 Location of strangles cases in Victoria between 1 May 2018 and 31 July 2018

To find out more visit Information for the control of strangles in horses on the Agriculture Victoria website To assist you in managing enquiries about strangles, the Equine Veterinarians of Australia group have developed the following information sheet with advice on treatment and management of the condition. Equine Veterinarians of Australia advice on treatment and management of Strangles

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Electronic identification for sheep and goats in Victoria

Investing now, protecting tomorrow

Since Victoria announced the transition to an electronic National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats from 1 January 2017, Victoria’s sheep and goat industry have embraced the changes with more than 17.7 million electronic NLIS (Sheep) tags purchased.

The new system continues to be phased in with all Victorian sheep processing abattoirs and saleyards installing scanning infrastructure with the support of the Victorian Governments transition package and the commencement of scanning and uploading on 31 December 2017 and 31 March 2018, respectively.

To date, 741,165 electronically tagged sheep and goats have been scanned through Victorian saleyards and data uploaded.

The requirement for property to property movement recordings to be uploaded to the NLIS database also came into effect on 31 March 2018, another important part of lifetime traceability.

The next major implementation milestone is on 1 January 2019, when sheep or goats born on or after this date must be tagged before leaving a Victorian property.

While the primary benefit of electronic identification is enhanced traceability of animals, protecting our valuable livestock industries, the technology also provides the opportunity to record and access detailed information about individual animals to improve flock management, increasing efficiency, productivity and profitability.

Electronic identification of sheep and goats will provide trading partners with increased confidence in the safety and origin of Victorian products, protecting and enhancing access to expanding and profitable local and export markets.

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Biosecurity Advisory – African Swine fever African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs that is continuing to spread from foci in eastern Europe and in China. More information is available on the Agriculture Victoria website. http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/animal-diseases/pigs/african-swine-fever

AgriBio Veterinary Laboratory

Pathology case studies

Live broadcast details

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/944715541

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Across the nation and around the world Animal Health Australia publication "The Link" http://publizr.com/aha/the-link-a-w-2018?html=true#/28/

Threat abatement plan: impacts of marine debris on Australian wildlife http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/marine-debris-2018

Wildlife rehabilitation shelters and foster carer https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/sick-injured-or-orphaned-wildlife/wildlife-rehabilitation-shelters-and-foster-carers

Veterinary care for wildlife https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/sick-injured-or-orphaned-wildlife/veterinary-care-for-wildlife

Naturally avian influenza virus infected wild birds are more likely to test positive for Mycobacterium spp. and Salmonella spp http://www.aaapjournals.info/doi/abs/10.1637/11866-042518-Reg.1?code=aaap-site

The dangers of improper drug disposal https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/180815a.aspx

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Salmon poisoning disease could affect relocated grizzlies https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jwmg.21502

Canada geese in the wrong place, at the wrong time http://blog.healthywildlife.ca/canada-geese-in-the-wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time/

Canine Influenza

Canine influenza (CI) or dog flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection of dogs that is caused by an influenza A virus. In the USA, CI has been caused by 2 influenza strains. The 1st strain reported in the USA, beginning in 2004, was an H3N8 influenza A virus. This strain is closely related to the virus that causes equine influenza, and it is thought that the equine influenza virus mutated to produce the canine strain.

AVMA: FAQS – Control of canine influenza in dogs https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Control-of-Canine-Influenza-in-Dogs.aspx

Centers for disease control and prevention: Key facts on canine flu https://www.cdc.gov/flu/canineflu/keyfacts.htm