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

  • Euwallacea fornicatus lateral female

    Polyphagous shot-hole borer

    10 September 2021

    Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) Euwallacea fornicatus is a beetle native to Southeast Asia. The beetle attacks a wide range of plants by tunnelling into trunks, stems and branches.

  • Banana freckle symptoms on banana fruit

    Banana freckle: biosecurity alert

    18 October 2013

    Banana freckle was detected in Dwarf Cavendish banana fruit in the Northern Territory in May 2022. The Northern Territory Government is responding to this new detection.

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    Papaya sticky disease: biosecurity alert

    16 August 2019

    Papaya sticky disease is absent from Western Australia. It has recently been reported from the Northern Territory, after being detected in Queensland in 2014.

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    Blueberry rust: biosecurity alert

    12 November 2014

    Blueberry rust (Thekopsora minima) is a fungal disease that affects blueberries and some relatives in the Ericaceae plant family.

  • Terms and conditions for DPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory Services (DDLS)

    30 March 2022

    To the extent permitted by law, all dealings between the Department and the Submitting Party relating to the provision of the Testing Services are subject to the following terms and conditions:

  • Plant with purple stems and dark green leaves covered with a bright yellow powder-like fungus.

    Myrtle rust: a threat to Western Australia

    8 April 2014

    Myrtle rust is a serious disease that attacks and kills many plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family including eucalypts, bottlebrushes, paperbarks and peppermint trees.

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    Onion smut: declared pest

    20 December 2019

    Onion smut (Urocystis cepulae) is a disease of onions. This disease is absent from Western Australia.

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    Tomato yellow leaf curl virus: declared pest

    5 April 2019

    Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a very damaging virus disease of tomato crops in tropical and warm temperate regions of the world, causing losses of up to 100%.

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    Dothistroma needle blight: declared pest

    23 January 2020

    Dothistroma needle blight (Dothistroma septosporum) causes needle loss, slow growth and sometimes death in many types of pine and some related conifers.

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

    Panama disease in bananas: frequently asked questions

    3 April 2015

    Panama disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is considered one of the most destructive diseases of banana plants worldwide.

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