CATTLE Australia will next week host an important webinar on the topic of ‘Understanding Lumpy Skin Disease: global learnings for Australian preparedness’.

The webinar is designed to assist in producer’s understanding of the exotic disease. While Australia remains free of LSD, this session will spotlight the need for ongoing vigilance and awareness, serving as a reminder of the importance of Australia’s continued collective focus on national preparedness.

Last month LSD was confirmed in the Indonesian island of Bali, on Australia’s doorstep. The viral disease, which can be spread by airborne insects, has moved from Africa north to the Middle East and Europe and south through Asia in little over a decade. The latest movement from the Indonesian island of Java to nearby Bali continues an eastern progression that moves lumpy skin disease to within about 1200km of the Australian mainland.

Australian Government and industry representatives have been watching the march of LSD closely, particularly since its first detection in Indonesia in 2022.

Next week’s webinar will be held on Wednesday February 25, from Noon (AEDST) (11am Queensland time), and will be delivered by Australia’s chief veterinary officer, Dr Beth Cookson.

As CVO, Dr Cookson is the primary representative and advisor to the Australian Government on Australia’s animal health status, co-chair of the national Animal Health Committee and Australia’s Delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

LSD case in East Java

She has more than 20 years’ experience in biosecurity policy and operational roles in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, including animal health surveillance, biosecurity import risk analysis and trade negotiation.

Living and working in Cairns, she has a special interest in biosecurity threats across northern Australia, and the strategy, policy, collaboration and capacity building needed to address biosecurity threats from across the region.

This is an excellent opportunity to build knowledge of LSD within our industry and to learn from the international experiences.

Click here to register to join