Diagnosis and likely spread of Trypanosoma evansi in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia

• Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Papua New Guinea
• Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Indonesia
• Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Northern Territory, Australia

Surra is a serious animal disease caused by Trypanosoma evansi, a parasite that is transmitted from the mouthparts of biting flies. The disease is endemic in parts of Indonesia and there is a strong possibility that it has spread to Irian Jaya with livestock introduced by transmigrants. This raises quarantine concerns for Papua New Guinea and Australia, and this project will commence a program of research and training in Indonesia and PNG to gather evidence of the spread of the parasite. The scientists will determine the effectiveness of available serological tests for detecting T.evansi in pigs, dogs, horses, deer and cattle in Australia, PNG and Indonesia. They will also determine whether the benign T. theileri, which is already present in northern Australia, can be used as a reliable indicator of where T. evansi would spread should it enter Australia.