Threat Abatement Plan for Infection of amphibians with chytrid fungus resulting in chytridiomycosis
Action group 1.1 - Limit national spreadAction group 1.1 - Limit national spread
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Action group 1.1 - Limit national spread
Action 1.1.1: Update the status of chytridiomycosis-free states and territories, and regions within infected states and territories, after the national survey (see action 1.1.2) and on a regular basis as other reliable results become available. This information is most effectively published on the internet and the most suitable location is the Amphibian Disease Home Page:
http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/phtm/PHTM/frogs/ampdis.htm (Category 1).
Action 1.1.2: Undertake a coordinated national survey of frog populations in chytridiomycosis-free regions using standardised sampling protocols and diagnostic techniques to determine the distribution of the chytrid fungus and the affected amphibian species. The priority regions and populations for this survey are Gulf Country, Northern Territory, western Queensland, western New South Wales, northern South Australia, the coast along the Great Australian Bight, northwest Western Australia and western Victoria (Category 2).
Action 1.1.3: Prepare a model action plan (written along the lines of AusVetPlan - http://www.aahc.com.au/ausvetplan/) for chytridiomycosis-free populations based on a risk management approach, setting out the steps of a coordinated response if infection with chytridiomycosis is detected (Category 2).
The model action plan will be based on a risk management approach using quantitative risk analysis where possible and will be able to be modified to become area-specific or population-specific. The plan could be implemented in the face of new outbreaks in chytridiomycosis-free areas or in chytridiomycosis-free populations.
Individual jurisdictions can modify the model action plan as a preventative strategy or at least have it available as the framework for a response plan if needed. This will help ensure national consistency in responses to any new outbreaks. For threatened species, the action plan should inform relevant species recovery plans. Infrastructure, protocols, responsibilities and funding sources should be identified in this action plan, using the approach used in AusVetPlan.
To protect areas that are chytridiomycosis-free, an underlying principle should be that amphibians with chytridiomycosis are not transported into chytridiomycosis-free areas. Actions to reduce transmission into chytridiomycosis-free areas should aim for reduction of risk at source, and prevention of dissemination of B. dendrobatidis at destination.
Action 1.1.4: Using current evidence that the Northern Territory is chytridiomycosis-free, the jurisdiction should develop and implement strategies to prevent the accidental introduction of amphibian chytrid (Category 4).