An investigation into the deaths of around 150 cattle in the Northern Territory has pointed towards coccidiosis, a parasitic disease, as the likely cause. The cattle, originating from a station near Ti Tree in Central Australia, experienced illness and fatalities both on board a live export vessel to Indonesia and at an export depot near Darwin. The initial suspicion of botulism as the cause of death was later challenged by evidence suggesting coccidiosis may have played a significant role.
According to Dr. Rob Williams, the NT chief vet, while a definitive ruling on botulism could not be made, the gathered evidence strongly supports the diagnosis of coccidiosis. The investigation undertaken by the NT government at the export depot and the Federal Department of Agriculture's inquiry into the deaths on board the Brahman Express vessel have both identified coccidiosis as a potential contributing factor, though a conclusive diagnosis is still pending. Coccidiosis, caused by protozoal parasites residing in the intestinal walls of animals, can lead to disease particularly in young or stressed animals.
Dr. Williams explained that while coccidiosis is commonly found in the gut of cattle, it usually does not cause disease, especially in adult cattle. The environmental conditions, possibly exacerbated by the transition from a dry to a wet area, are believed to have contributed to the unusual events leading to the cattle deaths. The NT industry's investigation into the cattle fatalities near Darwin concluded with the likely cause being coccidiosis, though complexities in the issue suggest a multifactorial explanation that might involve other potential causes like botulism.