A reportable animal disease is one that, by law, must be reported immediately to state and/or federal animal health officials. Reporting helps identify disease outbreaks, limit their spread and minimize the economic and health impacts on people.
Reporting may be done by contacting a local, state or federal veterinarian. Veterinarians, producers, farm/ranch employees, laboratory personnel, truckers/shippers, slaughterhouse workers and animal facility employees are all required to report should they suspect one of these diseases.
The World Organization for Animal Health (Office Internationale des Epizooties) creates and manages the list of reportable diseases of livestock, poultry and aquatic animal species. There are also diseases that are not currently found in the United States. These are called Foreign Animal Diseases and all are reportable. Evidence or suspicion of bioterrorism should also be reported immediately.
The following information (if known) should be provided when making a report:
· Disease suspected
· Signs of illness
· Location of affected animal(s)
· Affected animals’ species, breed, age and gender
· How many animals are affected
· Contact information for affected animals’ owner
· Contact information for person reporting
· Contact information for source of origin of affected animal(s)
· History of source of origin of affected animal(s)
· History of affected animals’ current premises
More information, including lists of specific reportable diseases for each species, is available on the USDA APHIS website.
