National Johnes Disease Control Program (NJDCP)

Johne’s disease (JD) is a serious intestinal disease affecting ruminants. In Australia it has been reported in cattle, sheep, goats, deer and alpaca but is not known to exist in the NT. It is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis) that causes chronic diarrhoea and wasting in affected animals.

There are two strains of Johne’s Disease

• Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) - a cattle strain which mainly infects cattle and goats, deer and alpaca
• Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD) – a sheep strain which mainly infects sheep and goats

The National JD Control program (NJDCP) uses national guidelines, standard definitions and rules and national standard diagnostic tests in order to:

• reduce the spread of JD from areas of high prevalence areas to those of low prevalence
• reduce the impact of disease in affected herds
• provide improved trading opportunities for producers who actively manage the disease using
  • Market Assurance Programs (MAPs) for Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Alpaca
  • Beef Only
  • Assurance Based Credit (ABC) Scheme for Sheep

Zoning and Movement Restrictions

• Conditions for Entry of Stock into the NT – Johne’s Disease
• BJD Zoning in Australia
• OJD Prevalence areas in Australia
• National Animal Health Statement for BJD status - Beef cattle
• National Sheep Health Statement for OJD status - Sheep
• National Goat Health Statement for BJD and OJD status - Goats

Further information

• Johne's disease
• Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD)
• Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD)
• National Johne’s Disease Control Program
• www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au