Sheep graziers across New South Wales are being warned that an outbreak of virulent footrot is spreading, despite dry seasonal conditions.
Graziers have also been told that the risk of infection from new stock purchases is also a possibility.
Dozens of sheep properties across western NSW have been quarantined amid a worrying outbreak of the disease that rots away the animal's foot.
Footrot is a bacterial infection of the hoof, known to be more prevalent in wet conditions but authorities say they are receiving reports of continuing infection spread despite the dry conditions.
Central west a hot spot
Local Land Services veterinarian Jillian Kelly said the NSW central west was a particular hot spot, with about 45 properties under quarantine.
"That equates to about 150,000 sheep in our region," she said.
"But we have been talking to other regions and they are all experiencing an increase in prevalence."
Dr Kelly said many sheep producers had not seen incidents of footrot in their flocks for years.
She said some were not as familiar with the symptoms as farmers might have been during times of high prevalence in the 1980s and 1990s.
"The other thing we are seeing at the moment is that the symptoms are not as extreme as people might be expecting,'' Dr Kelly said.
"Back in the '80s and '90s, when footrot was everywhere, the symptoms would make the sheep really lame.
"What we are finding this time around is that the sheep are not that lame, sometimes it doesn't smell as bad as it used to, people might be fooled into thinking it's something else.
"The symptoms might be quite mild, but it is still virulent footrot and it still has to be reported and controlled."
Dr Kelly said the Central West Local Land Services was operating at full capacity to deal with the outbreak.
Dr Kelly said extra staff had been put on to deal with the outbreak.
"We are also seeing footrot at livestock saleyards in the region on a regular basis and that is quite concerning.
She said there was concern about what might happen if spring rain caused the outbreak to worsen.
