Biosecurity risk due to the movement of dogs from areas where Ehrlichia canis is known to be active

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Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Biosecurity risk due to the movement of dogs from areas where Ehrlichia canis is known to be active

Ehrlichiosis is a serious tick-borne disease of dogs. Dogs become infected with the bacteria Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) after being bitten by an infected tick, primarily the brown dog tick. Infection with E. canis is nationally notifiable. If you suspect the presence of this disease in any dog in Queensland, you must report it to Biosecurity Queensland.

Until May 2020, E. canis had not been detected in dogs of Australian origin. Since that time, infected dogs have been found throughout the Northern Territory and in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of northern Western Australia. Infected ticks have also been found in far northern regions of South Australia. These areas are a potential source of infection for dogs.

Human-assisted movement of dogs is considered the most likely means of introducing E. canis to Queensland.

People in charge of dogs including dog owners, rescuers, carers and pounds need to be aware of and manage risks associated with moving dogs into Queensland from areas where E. canis is known to be active. Anyone moving a dog from an area where E. canis is known to be active into Queensland has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) under the Biosecurity Act 2014 to minimise the risk associated with the movement. Dogs being rescued and/or rehomed and where their health status and history is unknown may pose a greater biosecurity risk.

People moving dogs within Queensland need to assess the likelihood that dogs are infected with E. canis. In making this assessment, consideration needs to be given to the dog’s health, whether the dog has been to an area where E. canis is known to be active, whether the dog has been on effective tick control preventative and whether it has shared the same environment with known infected dogs or ticks. This information will allow any risks to be identified and appropriately managed.