Reportable animal diseases and notifiable incidents
If you suspect a reportable animal disease or a notifiable disease incident, you must report it to either:
- Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23
- or
- the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Why you need to report
Early recognition of a serious or exotic animal disease is one of the most important factors in:
- controlling the disease
- reducing adverse impacts on
- our health
- our way of life
- the economy
- the environment.
Reporting your suspicion of serious diseases and incidents is vital for early recognition.
You must report whether you are an animal owner, veterinarian, laboratory staff or anyone else.
All reports are treated confidentially.
There are no government charges for initial investigations of suspected reportable diseases or notifiable incidents, even if the results are negative.
Reportable diseases
Some animal diseases are prescribed as category 1 restricted matter or prohibited matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014. These are known as reportable diseases.
In Queensland, reportable diseases include:
- diseases that are not found in Queensland and for which immediate action must be taken if detected (prohibited matter)
- some significant diseases that do occur in Queensland (restricted matter).
If you become aware of any of these diseases, you must report it within 24 hours, even if you don't have a diagnosis yet.
Check the full list of reportable diseases of aquatic animals, bees and terrestrial animals in Queensland.
Notifiable incidents
A notifiable incident is a biosecurity event that you must report to us immediately. These are some examples of notifiable incidents.
Aquatic animal examples
- Unusual deaths
- Animals coming to the edge or water surface of the pond, tank or cage
- Animals demonstrating unusual swimming patterns
- Reduced feeding and failure to thrive
- Unusual changes in the physical appearance of animals, such as:
- red or black colouration of prawns
- ulcers or mouldy growth on the skin
- blackening of the skin
- pop eye
- erosion of fins and tails
- fouling of gills
- any symptoms of white spot disease
The field guide for aquatic animal diseases can help you identify signs of disease. If you are in doubt, contact us online, by phone or in person to seek expert advice.
Designated terrestrial animal examples
- A lot of sick or dead animals
- Rapid spread of disease through a herd or flock
- Animals that are lame, drooling or salivating excessively
- Animals that have ulcers, erosions or blisters around the feet, muzzle, udder or teats and/or in the mouth
- Unusual nervous signs
- Respiratory distress or persistent coughing in horses
- Deep, smelly, fly-struck wounds
- A sudden and unexplained fall in production
- A contaminant (such as a heavy metal, residual organochlorine pesticide or pathogenic bacteria) above a prescribed threshold
- Bees
- Bison
- Buffalo
- Cattle
- Deer
- Family Camelidae, including alpacas, Arabian camels and llamas
- Family Equidae, including donkeys, horses, mules, ponies and zebras
- Goats
- Pigs
- Poultry
- Racing pigeons
- Sheep