Emergency animal disease kits available to upper north producers

The kits instructions for sample collection, a submission form, and the necessary sampling equipment to enable the remote collection of samples by producers.

The kits which had been in circulation since May, were aimed to determine a detection of or to rule-out any key emergency animal diseases.

PIRSA animal health officer Riley McInerney said the kits were being distributed for cattle producers in the northern pastoral areas.

"We also have four new vets on and two new animal health officers," he said.

"The kits have sampling equipment and instructions and are for producers to test for lumpy skin disease or foot-and-mouth."

A PIRSA spokesperson said the EAD kits were aimed at facilitating quick collection of relevant samples which enabled early detection of potential exotic animal diseases.

"Kits were originally equipped to collect samples for Foot and Mouth Disease (blood samples) and Lumpy Skin Disease (skin biopsies) but can be used for most other exotic animal disease threats," they said.

"Kits are for remote and regional SA cattle and sheep producers who notice unusual signs or symptoms in their livestock, including skin disease in cattle, or blisters in the mouth, on the feet or on teats of cattle and sheep.

"Blood collection tubes have an expiry date of approximately one year, however they can still be safely used in an emergency situation for several years.

"Advice should be sought from PIRSA Animal Health personnel before using the kits and before submitting any samples for testing."

Any concerns or suspicions about any unusual signs of disease must first be reported to the appropriate regional PIRSA veterinary or animal health officers, or the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

If producers would like to obtain an EAD kit they should contact their closest regional PIRSA animal health office.