Frequently Asked Questions: National List of Reportable Animal Diseases

This list is available as a PDF and online at National List of Reportable Animal Diseases. Most NLRAD case definitions are currently under review; once cleared for posting, case definitions will be available at National List of Reportable Animal Diseases. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) terrestrial and aquatic diagnostic manuals also provide detailed information on listed diseases.

NLRAD disease-specific case definitions provide a general disease overview, laboratory criteria, case classification details, and reporting criteria. Case definitions are published at National List of Reportable Animal Diseases as available. Cases should be reported to NLRAD in accordance with the NLRAD System Standards (784.54 KB).

Case definitions are currently being reviewed and updated. Available case definitions are published at National List of Reportable Animal Diseases. More will be published as they are reviewed and finalized. You can also reference the WOAH terrestrial and aquatic diagnostic manuals for detailed information on listed diseases. 

If you have specific questions about a listed disease, contact our team at nlrad.nahrs@usda.gov.

Per the NLRAD System Standards (784.54 KB), report:

• Notifiable diseases or conditions within 24 hours.
• Monitored diseases or conditions within 30 days.

An animal health professional is an individual, corporate entity, or animal health organization with formal training in the diagnosis or recognition of animal diseases or pests of livestock. Examples of animal health professionals include, but are not limited to, veterinary medical professionals, diagnostic laboratorians, biomedical researchers, public health officials, animal health officials, trained technicians, zoo personnel, and wildlife personnel with such training.

State animal health officials should report cases of NLRAD-listed diseases in accordance with the NLRAD System Standards (784.54 KB). Available case definitions are published at National List of Reportable Animal Diseases.

All animal health professionals, including laboratory personnel, should coordinate with their State animal health official and area veterinarian in charge to ensure confirmed cases of NLRAD-listed diseases are reported in accordance with the NLRAD System Standards (784.54 KB). Available case definitions are published at National List of Reportable Animal Diseases. 

Please report: 

• Notifiable diseases or conditions within 24 hours. 
• Monitored diseases or conditions within 30 days. 

All animal health professionals, including accredited veterinarians, should coordinate with their State animal health official and area veterinarian in charge to ensure confirmed cases of NLRAD-listed diseases are reported in accordance with the NLRAD System Standards (784.54 KB). Available case definitions are published at National List of Reportable Animal Diseases. 

Please report Notifiable diseases or conditions within 24 hours. 

Refer to NLRAD disease-specific case definitions, which include laboratory criteria, case classification details, and reporting criteria. Available case definitions are published at National List of Reportable Animal Diseases. If no NLRAD case definition is available, see laboratory and reporting criteria in disease-specific WOAH guidance. Cases should be reported to NLRAD in accordance with the NLRAD System Standards (784.54 KB).

If you have a presumptive or suspect case of a Monitored disease that does not meet the confirmed case definition, you may consider other information, such as alternative laboratory testing or additional epidemiological information, to decide whether to report the presence of the disease. We recognize that for many Monitored diseases, especially endemic diseases, animal health professionals may not have diagnostic testing results to a confirmed case level.

The NLRAD focuses primarily on domestic livestock, poultry, and aquaculture species. We also recognize that wildlife, companion animals, and zoo animals can play an important epidemiologic role in diseases affecting our Nation’s agriculture industry. Given that, reporting may be required when listed diseases are found in these other animals.

There is no difference between the diseases listed on the NLRAD list and the diseases listed in the National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS). The NAHRS web page is updated each year to ensure it provides State animal health officials the opportunity to report on all current NLRAD-listed diseases.

The NLRAD System Standards (784.54 KB) define an emerging disease as a disease, infection, or infestation in domestic or wild animals that is a threat to terrestrial animals, aquatic animals, or humans and meets one of the following criteria: 

• An unknown agent that is causing disease in a herd, flock, or premises and has the potential to result in a significant animal or public health impact, and applied diagnostic tests have yielded negative or non-definitive results
• A newly identified agent that is causing disease in a herd, flock, or premises and has the potential to cause significant animal or public health impact or is occurring in multiple herds, flocks, or premises 
• A previously identified or known pathogenic agent that has a change in epidemiology, such as— 
  • Unexpected production impacts or morbidity/mortality over a previously defined range for the agent 
  • Expanded host range
• Change in geography of an agent with the potential to cause a significant animal or public health impact

If you suspect an emerging animal disease, follow the notification process in the policy for the Investigation of Potential Foreign Animal Disease/Emerging Disease Incidents (274.92 KB). 

When an emerging disease is confirmed, APHIS will decide specific details of how and what to report to WOAH on a case-by-case basis. Report to NLRAD within 24 hours of confirmation.

Visit NAHRS Participant Information for details about submitting reports online. 

If you need more information or help accessing NLRAD-NAHRS for reporting, email us at nlrad.nahrs@usda.gov.

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