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Ovine Johne's Disease (OJD)

Photo: A sheep showing signs of OJD
Photo: Ovine Johne's disease affected sheep

Ovine Johne's (pronounced 'yoh-nees') disease is an infectious fatal wasting disease of sheep. It is often abbreviated to OJD. OJD can have severe economic effects in sheep flocks if it is left uncontrolled. It is caused by a strain of the bacterium Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.

OJD - What's new?

Message from the CVO

Ojd distribution and vaccination

The natural ecology of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (M ptb), the causative bacterium of ovine Johne’s disease (ojd) in sheep, involves a faecal-oral route of transmission and requires a period of survival of the bacterium in the environment for spread to occur between sheep.

A combination of environmental factors including temperature, rainfall, humidity, stocking density, soil pH and quality, impact on environmental survivability of M ptb and hence the distribution and impact of ojd. Higher temperature, lower rainfall, lower stocking density and higher soil pH all tend to be unfavourable to environmental survivability of M ptb and/or transmission of infection to susceptible sheep.

DPI’s Disease Epidemiology Surveillance and Control (DESC) group has produced a highly informative analysis on the incidence of ojd in Victoria over the past 5 years.

The analysis shows that for much of our state environmental conditions are highly conducive to environmental survival of M ptb and ready transmission of infection to susceptible sheep can occur. Fortunately there is an effective vaccine available which protects exposed sheep against developing ojd and which significantly reduces environmental contamination with M ptb.

Conversely, there is an area in the north west of Victoria where the incidence of ojd is very low, and any infection brought in with diseased sheep can be expected to be self-limiting and ultimately of low long term impact on health and productivity in the flock. This reflects our long experience of ongoing negligible impact of ojd in the north west corner of the state despite countless movements of infected sheep into the area over decades.

What does this mean for Victorian Sheep Producers?

Sensible broad scale management of ojd needs to recognise the concept of geographical ojd susceptibility rather than being too preoccupied with ‘area prevalence’ or ‘protected areas’ that are supposedly shielded by government regulated restrictions on sheep movement, but in reality are protected by environmental conditions.

High Susceptibility Area

On much of Victoria’s grazing land sheep are highly susceptible to ojd as a result of environmental conditions that are conducive to environmental survival and transmission of the causative bacterium. In this area (the high susceptibility area) producers need to take measures to mitigate risk of disease.

Within this area sheep producers should consider vaccinating all replacement lambs against ojd, and should consider only introducing sheep into their flocks that are approved vaccinates (e.g. as attested by a Sheep Health Statement provided by the vendor).

Low Susceptibility Area

In the north west corner of Victoria (the low susceptibility area) environmental conditions are unfavourable to survivability of M ptb; should ojd infection be brought in with introduced sheep, infection in the flock can be expected to be self-limiting and of low long term impact on health and productivity of the flock irrespective of intervention measures.

In my opinion, ojd vaccination would not generally be considered necessary or cost-effective for sheep that will remain continuously within the low susceptibility area. Individual producers should consider vaccinating sheep that they may wish to move or trade into the high susceptibility area or if required for other markets (e.g. if required for interstate movement or market assurance programs).

Producers, of course, should form their own opinion based on their own circumstances and veterinary advice.

Andrew Cameron
Chief Veterinary Officer

What is the ABC scheme?

What is the ABC Trading scheme?

The Assurance Based Credits (ABC) Trading Scheme forms the basis of the national ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) program. Every flock in Australia has an ABC score. This score can be used by producers wishing to sell or purchase sheep to indicate the risk of a flock being infected with OJD.

How do I know my score?

ABC scores range from 0-10. Points towards the ABC Score can be obtained from location of the flock, testing for OJD, Vaccination against OJD and low risk certification. The higher the score the lower the risk the sheep have OJD. AG1156 - Assurance Based Credits (ABC) Scheme and the Sheep Health Statement

What is an Sheep Health Statement (SHS)?

A SHS is a formal document that accompanies non-slaughter sheep when they  are sold. It does not replace a national vendor declaration (NVD) but should be  used in conjunction with a NVD. The SHS shows the ABC score of the sheep being  sold and is signed by the vendor. It may also contain information about the  footrot, lice and ovine brucellosis history of the flock. It is an offence to  make a false declaration on this statement.

Is it mandatory to complete an SHS?

It is not mandatory to complete a SHS when selling sheep within Victoria.  However, it is strongly recommended that you  request a SHS from the vendor prior to purchasing sheep.  It may also be mandatory to complete a SHS  prior to moving sheep interstate. 

Sheep Health Statement

Sheep Health Statement

New OJD Prevalence Areas (as of 1st January 2011)

Maps showing Victorian, Australian and NSW Prevalence Areas can be downloaded from the Animal Health Australia website at the end of the following page:

OJD Prevalence Areas

How to obtain Gudair Vaccine

Any sheep producer may purchase Gudair vaccine  from approved retailers. This is a list of authorised Gudair vaccine retailers within Victoria (as of August 2010).

Information Notes

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