About NAHRS
The National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS) was created by the United States Animal Health Association, American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, and APHIS.
NAHRS is designed to collect data from chief State animal health officials on the presence of confirmed diseases on the proposed National List of Reportable Animal Diseases (NLRAD), which includes World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reportable diseases and other diseases of interest in specific livestock, poultry, and aquaculture species in the United States.
How NAHRS Information Is Used
NAHRS provides key information that is used to complete the 6-month and annual reports that the United States is required to submit to WOAH.
USDA uses NAHRS information in U.S. trade negotiations and to respond to inquiries or audits from trade partners. In these instances, NAHRS demonstrates the integrated, comprehensive, and transparent nature of disease surveillance and reporting in the United States. By providing timely summary-level information on animal health status to our trading partners, NAHRS helps protect the U.S. share of the global market for animals and animal products.
APHIS Veterinary Services' Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health also uses NAHRS reports to provide historic information on occurrences of reportable diseases in the United States. For example, in emerging disease situations, NAHRS records may be used to provide background information on occurrences of similar diseases in the United States.
Benefits of NAHRS Participation to States
Individual States benefit from participating in NAHRS by strengthening their internal animal health surveillance abilities through enhancement of their disease reporting infrastructure using standardized disease reporting criteria. NAHRS reporting information enables States and animal industries to provide timely and accurate information for maintaining and developing international trade. Further, NAHRS reporting provides States with important current and historic records of reportable disease occurrences. This reporting may be used to inform decision-making on animal health issues, including emerging animal health situations.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the NAHRS program. Access to the monthly State NAHRS reports is limited to the submitting State officials and a small number of designated APHIS Veterinary Services staff who are directly involved in coordinating the NAHRS program. Individual owners are never identified in the information submitted by States as part of NAHRS monthly reporting.
Questions?
National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS) Program
APHIS, VS, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health
Email: nlrad.nahrs@usda.gov
NAHRS Coordinator
2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. B, MS 2E6
Fort Collins, CO 80526