Diseases

Diseases have a detrimental effect on plants and animals and impact on market access and agricultural production. Diseases include micro-organisms, disease agents (bacteria, fungi and viruses), infectious agents, parasites and genetic disorders.

Western Australia is free from some of the world's major agricultural and livestock diseases. Biosecurity measures on your property are vital in preventing the spread of diseases.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides:

  • biosecurity/quarantine measures at the WA border to prevent the entry of plant and animal diseases
  • post border biosecurity measures for harmful animal and plant diseases
  • advice on widespread diseases present in the state.

For advice on animal and plant diseases search our website, the Western Australian Organism List or contact our Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS).

For diagnostic services, please contact our Diagnostic Laboratory Services.

See Also

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Articles

  • Septoria spot on external orange fruit surface showing characteristic small spots. Photo © NSW Department of Primary Industries.

    Septoria spot of citrus: pest data sheet

    25 February 2014

    Septoria spot of citrus (Septoria citri) is an exotic disease to Western Australia. It is a serious pest that causes fruit blemishes, affecting saleability for the fresh fruit market.

  • Leaf symptoms of Little cherry disease

    Little cherry disease: pest data sheet

    10 February 2014

    Ampelovirus Little cherry virus 2 (LChV-2) is one cause of little cherry disease (LCD) and is an exotic pest to Western Australia.

  • A young banana plant with yellowing leaves, a symptom of Panama disease.

    Panama disease: initiation of policy review

    13 January 2016

    The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia has initiated a policy review for Panama disease associated with host material and linked packaging imported from other Australian states a

  • Cultivar Lambert cherries with Little cherry disease symptoms (left) and healthy fruit (right)

    Little cherry disease: declared pest

    7 February 2014

    Little cherry disease [Ampelovirus Little cherry virus 2 (LChV-2)] is a serious pest of cherries that can affect fruit development and quality.

  • Severe powdery mildew infection on strawberry

    Powdery mildew of strawberries

    13 January 2014

    Powdery mildew is a disease which is becoming more prevalent in Western Australian strawberry crops as increasing areas are being grown under high (Haygrove) tunnels.

  • Typical symptoms of Fusarium crown rot in strawberry

    Crown and root rot diseases of strawberries

    13 January 2014

    Strawberries are affected by a number of pathogens causing crown and/or root rots.  These diseases are becoming more prevalent for several reasons including the withdrawal of methyl bromide as a so

  • Septoria spot on external orange fruit surface showing characteristic small spots

    Septoria spot of citrus: declared pest

    28 November 2013

    Septoria spot (Septoria citri) is a serious pest of citrus that can affect external fruit quality. This pest is not known to occur in Western Australia.

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