Ovine brucellosis
Ovine brucellosis (OB) is a venereal disease in sheep. It can lead to:
- infertility
- reduced ram fertility
- longer lambing period
- prolonged lambing period
- abortions in ewes
- weak lambs.
Ovine brucellosis is not a notifiable disease.
For more information, download the OB fact sheet ( or ).
Ovine Brucellosis-free Accreditation Scheme
The South Australian Ovine Brucellosis-free Accreditation Scheme is voluntary and aims to:
- protect flocks from OB
- promote flocks that are OB-free
- make OB-free accredited rams available.
All owners of ram flocks registered with an approved breed society or association are eligible to apply for accreditation.
Scheme management
The scheme is run by sheep breed societies, individual owners, approved veterinary practitioners, and PIRSA. We oversee all aspects of managing the scheme, including:
- registering veterinary practitioners who carry out flock testing
- receiving and recording reports
- issuing reminders to owners if they are due for re-testing
- issuing certificates for new flocks
- re-accrediting flocks.
Breed societies make sure flock owners follow the rules of the scheme. Some breed societies require members to be part of the South Australian Ovine Brucellosis-free Accreditation Scheme.
Approved veterinary practitioners
Approved veterinary practitioners carry out all field work for the scheme, including:
- sampling
- clinical examinations and testing ()
- property inspections for fence and facility standards.
The approved vets must submit reports to PIRSA and notify the Chief Veterinary Officer about breaches of protocol.
Contact us to become an approved vet for this program.
Apply for accreditation
Use these documents to apply for accreditation:
Contact
Karen Greenhalgh
Phone: (08) 8429 0869
Email: karen.greenhalgh@sa.gov.au