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. 

Researchers conducted a study in winter 2022 to understand how the disease sarcoptic mange is manifesting in quenda in Roleystone urban and bushland sites.  

The researchers aimed 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. 

Interestingly, although quenda with mange were detected during the study in 2022, the majority of the approximately eighty quenda captured were in good body condition with normal appearing skin. However, captured quenda were from reserves adjacent to housing in the suburb, and during the study, quenda found in backyards with mange were submitted to local wildlife centres. The study did not detect quenda with mange from outside of the main area affected in prior research, however, there may be a link between sarcoptic mange and quenda that primarily live in urban backyards. Further research is needed to understand the link between backyards and sarcoptic mange in quenda, including whether quenda with mange move to these areas to access more food and resources as they become unwell, as well as the possibility that transmission of mange occurs at these backyard resources, such as sharing food or water from places like a pet food bowl.

Whilst mange continues to present in quenda, including the newer area of Jandakot and Coogee, due to the nature of the disease and the need for close contact, it is unlikely to spread rapidly beyond the two known regions affected. Roleystone has a particularly dense population of quenda with many resources available through urban backyards. This likely helps the disease transmit between quenda and other species, but also means they are overall a more abundant and healthy population due to more food and water availability. Given the incredible value of quenda in the landscape, including their ability to reduce fire impacts through digging and leaf litter redistribution, as well as improving soil quality, understanding the risk of sarcoptic mange to their conservation needs remains a priority for ongoing research

This work will help to establish guidance on best management practices for individual quenda, as well as expanding surveillance through local councils. 

City of Armadale

Information on mange in native Australian species can be found on the Wildlife Health Australia website.

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

Project Duration

2020 - ongoing

Leah Botten, Amanda Ash, Bethany Jackson 2022 Characterising a sarcoptic mange epizootic in quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/news/articles/wildlife-community-comes-together-to-help-quenda-with-debilitating-skin-disease 

Fact Sheets

Sarcoptic Mange in Australian Wildlife

Sarcoptic Mange Quenda Fact Sheet