Bethany Jackson

Over the last three years the Roleystone community and wildlife rehabilitation centres have become concerned over increasing numbers of the small marsupial seen with severe skin disease in local reserves and backyards.And a cluster of cases has been detected in the Jandakot area recently, suggesting the disease may be establishing in new areas.Sarcoptic mange is caused by a skin mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is a significant anddebilitating disease threat to several Australian mammal species, including wombats and koalas. The parasite was likely introduced to Australia at the time of European settlement, carried by settlers and their domestic animals.Sarcoptic mange occurs when mites bury into and feed on the skin of a mammal. Although it is not common for the mite to be transmitted to people from wildlife, it can cause disease in pets and people. Further research is needed to understand how quenda become infected and what risk this poses to other species and to humans.

Once infected, quenda develop crusting of the skin, intense itchiness, and secondary complications that may lead to death. Even with treatment, Darling Range Wildlife Service reports 40 per cent of quenda will still require euthanasia due to the severity of the skin changes and complications.Early intervention for infected quenda is vital to the success of treatment programs, and successful release.Researchers will conduct a study in winter 2022 to understand how the disease sarcoptic mange is manifesting in quenda in Roleystone urban and bushland sites. The researchers aim to capture quenda in urban and bush areas of Roleystone, collect samples, and determine how the mite impacts the skin and host, the best method for detecting the mite in this species, and how the mite found on quenda is related to other sarcoptid mites collected from hosts such as local foxes, and species in the east of Australia. Trials will also be established to determine the best method of treating affected quenda.This work will help to establish guidance on best management practices for individual quenda, as well as expanding surveillance through local councils and citizen-science programs. 



What you can do

If you would like to report seeing an affected animal, please contactyour local wildlife care centre: Darling Range WildlifeShelter, WAWildlife, KanyanaWildlife Rehabilitation Centre, or NativeAnimal Rescue for care and treatment.

Alternatively, contact the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 94749055 to be directed to their nearest wildlife care service.

Information on mange in native Australian species can befound on the WildlifeHealth Australia website.

Funding received

We are currently seeking funding for thisproject. If you are keen to help, please contact mange@murdoch.edu.au