Abalone Disease

Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis (AVG, also known as Abalone Disease) is a viral disease, that affects the nervous system of abalone and results in the foot curling up, swelling of the mouth, leading to weakness and death of abalone. There are no effects on human health.

The first significant outbreak in Victoria occurred in 2005/06 throughout south-west Victoria, resulting in abalone mortality between Portland and Cape Otway.  There have been several other AVG events in western Victoria since the initial detection, most recently in 2023 .

There are currently no active outbreaks in Victoria, however, in February 2024 AVG was detected in eastern South Australia. Since then extra biosecurity measures and been put in place and all Abalone fishing between the Murray River mouth and the SA-Victoria border is currently closed.

Click here for up-to-date information on South Australia’s ongoing Abalone disease response.

Victorian abalone fishers must remain vigilant for signs AVG and adhere to the Check, Clean and Dry principles to stop the potential spread of the disease.

If you find an abalone that you think is sick, anywhere in Victoria, call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Reports about AVG:

• Agriculture Victoria Abalone Disease Code of Practice
• Review of the Disease Investigation Relating to Herpes Like Virus Infection of Abalone in Victoria
• Development of Management Strategies for Herpes-like Virus Infection in Abalone
• An Epidemiological Analysis of the Events Surrounding a New Disease in Abalone