Footrot

Footrot program

Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) has a regulatory program related to the control and eradication of footrot. It is a notifiable disease in South Australia and the program has the following aims:

  • Investigations of outbreaks of disease due to lameness in sheep.
  • Inspections of sheep on properties, and at sales and other points of livestock congregation.
  • Recording of data on regulatory and disease investigation activity including orders under the Livestock Act.
  • Use of epidemiological disease information to assist policy formulation.
  • Use of industry groups to ensure support for the program through involvement in policy planning and management.
  • Training and education of staff and industry participants.

The disease

Footrot is an infectious disease of sheep caused by the bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus. It is characterised by an invasion of the deep layers of tissue under the horn of the hoof, and may result in significant lameness, loss of condition and economic loss.

Foot scald (benign footrot) is a mild form of footrot due to strains of D. nodosus with low virulence. The infection is mainly confined to the interdigital skin but separation at the heel or medial areas of the hoof may occur in a small percentage of sheep. This condition will usually dry out and heal during the dry summer months. While foot scald is not subject to regulation, symptoms may be confused with the early stages of virulent footrot.

D. nodosus may also infect cattle but this is thought to be an uncommon occurrence.

Footrot is a notifiable disease in South Australia and footrot or suspicion of footrot must be immediately notified to a Stock Inspector

Vaccines for the protection of sheep against footrot are permitted only with the written consent of the Chief Inspector of Stock.

Owners introducing sheep into South Australia must ensure they are accompanied by a completed Form 2 Health Certificate. In some cases this will involve inspection of the sheep by a Government officer prior to consignment.