Important advice for travellers on foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease in Indonesia
Have you recently visited Indonesia?
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and
lumpy skin disease (LSD) have been detected in a range of locations throughout the world. Most recently, these animal diseases have been identified as being present in Indonesia. FMD has now also been detected in Bali.
Due to Indonesia and Bali's proximity to Australia's northern border the current situation presents a high biosecurity risk. The diseases have not been detected in Australia.
The Australian Government is working very closely with its neighbours in assisting with measures to enhance preparedness and limit the impact and potential spread of these diseases.
The Australian Government (DAFF) has put in place increased checks of arriving passengers and their belongings at our international border.
All travellers from Indonesia and Bali should not have any meat and dairy products in their possession, and must ensure that all shoes, clothing and equipment used near animals or in rural areas of the region, have been thoroughly cleaned and are declared to Biosecurity Officers for inspection when arriving in Australia.
See DAFF webpage Advice to Travellers (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) for more details.
Although these checks and declarations will be made upon first entry into Australia, passengers transiting through to Tasmania from Indonesia and Bali are asked to be aware of the importance of not carrying any meat or dairy products, and to present to a Tasmanian Biosecurity Officer upon arrival to the State.
In addition, all non-letter mail (e.g. parcels) from Indonesia and Bali is now being screened by either x-ray or detector dogs.
As a further preventative measure, all Australian states and territories have implemented awareness and information campaigns that focus on the very serious threats these diseases pose to the Australian livestock industry, their related export markets, and the broader community.
These actions will not only help prevent FMD and LSD from being introduced into Australia and Tasmania but will also help to protect Tasmania from the introduction of a range of potentially harmful pests, weeds and diseases.
Further information
Similar precautions about the introduction of potentially harmful pests and diseases also apply to
items being mailed to Australia.
Everyone has a role to play in protecting Tasmania from the harmful impacts of pests, weeds and disease. We all have a
general biosecurity duty (GBD) - get to know more about what you can do to meet your GBD.
At any time you suspect an emergency animal disease such as FMD, please call the
Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888