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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Pests, diseases and weeds
  4. Animal pests and diseases
  5. Lumpy skin disease
  6. Livestock producers

Sidebar first - Pests diseases weeds

  • Lumpy skin disease
    • Disease facts
    • Government actions
    • Livestock producers
    • Veterinarians
    • National Action Plan

Livestock producers

Livestock producers across Australia must be alert for signs of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in their animals. LSD is a nationally notifiable disease and you MUST report any suspected signs immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888. Save this hotline number in your phone. All suspected cases of LSD will be investigated by a veterinarian in your state or territory.

Don't hesitate to report. Our best chance to contain and eradicate LSD will rely on early detection and reporting. A false alarm is better than disease going undetected.

Clinical signs of LSD

The Outbreak website has advice on what to do if you suspect an emergency animal disease in your animals.

Cattle with Lumpy Skin Disease (photo Michel Bellaiche)
A cow showing raised nodules on its hide which is a typical sign of infection with LSD. (Image: Michel Bellaiche)
Image of Lumpy skin disease in cattle side profile
A cow after the scabs have fallen off leaving large holes in the hide

Producers and livestock workers should be aware of the signs of LSD in cattle and buffalo:

  • Firm, raised nodules or lumps up to 5 cm in diameter can develop on any part of the body. They are often on the skin around the head, neck, genitals and limbs.
  • The centre of the nodule dies, after which the resultant scabs may fall out, leaving large holes in the skin, that may become infected.
  • Swelling of the limbs, brisket, genitals and lymph nodes may occur.
  • Watering eyes.
  • Increased nasal and salivary secretions.
  • Loss of appetite and reluctance to move.

Some animals with the disease may not show signs.

Find out more about lumpy skin disease

Disease risk to northern Australia

Australia’s north is particularly vulnerable to LSD because the disease can spread through biting flies, mosquitoes and ticks.

People residing or working across Australia’s north, including cattle and buffalo producers, vets, hunters and local Indigenous communities, must be vigilant for LSD and aware of biosecurity requirements.

  • Do not move live animals, meat and dairy products, untanned hides or skins, other animal products or soil between the Torres Strait Protected Zone and the Torres Strait Permanent Biosecurity Monitoring Zone, or to mainland Australia without a permit and an inspection by a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry biosecurity officer.
  • Keep a watch for planes or boats in your region that may be carrying animals or animal products onboard.
  • Look out for food and garbage washed up on the beach that could carry pests or disease.

If you see any of these threats, contact a local ranger, your nearest Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy office or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

How producers can protect their livestock

LSD and foot-and-mouth disease are in our region, so all livestock producers should have measures in place to prevent and prepare for an exotic animal disease incursion.

If you don’t have a farm biosecurity plan, now is the time to prepare one. The Farm Biosecurity website has free resources to help you defend your property against diseases, pests and weeds. Use the links below to get started:

  • biosecurity toolkit
  • plans and manuals
  • signage
  • recordkeeping

Further information

See what the government is doing to prevent an LSD incursion in Australia.

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

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Page last updated: 07 July 2023

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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