SHEEP owners are being urged to be on the alert for footrot after an outbreak was discovered in the north-west region of the Central West.
Central West Local Land Services (LLS) district veterinarians have diagnosed virulent footrot in sheep in areas such as Coonamble, Narromine, Warren, Nyngan and Gilgandra.
These areas have not seen the notifiable disease in decades.
Symptoms of footrot include lame sheep, inflammation between the digits and underrunning of the sole and heel of the foot. In some severe cases, sheep will lie down, walk on their knees and lose weight.
Dr Jillian Kelly, team leader of animal biosecurity and welfare, said LLS had taken immediate action to limit its spread and find its origins.
“Our district veterinarians and biosecurity staff work hard to maintain the state’s footrot protected status, so when footrot is diagnosed, we take immediate action to limit its spread and trace the source,” Dr Kelly said.
Properties diagnosed with footrot are quarantined and a plan is written to eradicate the disease. This can include destocking or foot bathing, paring and inspecting sheep until the disease is gone.
“It is likely that the increased prevalence of footrot in our district is due to people buying in sheep with footrot and has been exacerbated by the prolonged wet weather,” Dr Kelly said.
NSW maintains a footrot protected status, meaning that the flock prevalence of footrot in the state is less than one per cent.
If you witness lame sheep or any other signs of footrot, call your nearest Central West Local LLS vet.