Veterinarians are legally required to report suspected cases of certain diseases to either the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Some of these are foreign animal diseases that we have never had in the United States, such as H5N1, the dangerous strain of avian influenza that's been found in Asia, Europe and Africa, or that we previously eradicated, like foot and mouth disease. Others are diseases that we are attempting to eradicate, such as pseudorabies and bovine tuberculosis.
When veterinarians report these diseases, a state or federal veterinarian will investigate and, if necessary, submit samples to either the U.S. Veterinary Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, or to Plum Island Research Center in New York (for suspected foreign animal diseases). Until test results are available, the premises are likely to be quarantined.
How to Report Diseases
Anyone (veterinarians, producers, animal owners, etc.) who suspects a reportable animal disease is required to report it to a Federal or State Animal Health Official. To report an animal disease that is not included on the list below, please use Reportable Animal Disease online form.
If you are reporting one of the following diseases, do not use the form above:
- African Swine Fever (ASF)
- Classical Swine Fever (CSF)
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in any species
- New and Old World Screwworm (NWS)
- Rabies
- Sheep and Goat Pox
- Vesicular conditions of any type (i.e. Foot and Mouth Disease)
- Virulent Newcastle Disease
Immediately contact a DATCP district veterinarian.
1) If no answer, leave a message and a call-back number.
2) If you don't receive a call back within two hours, call your district veterinarian again.
3) If there is no answer, call any other district veterinarian until you have succeeded in contacting someone.
4) If you receive no response after following the above protocol, contact the Wisconsin Duty Office: 1-800-940-0003 and select option #2. State that you are reporting a potential animal disease.
Note: Standard business hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). Messages received after 9 p.m. may not receive a return phone call until 6 a.m. or later the next morning.
For information on what are reportable animal diseases, click on one of the links below.
To report sick or dead wildlife, please visit the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website , email DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov, or call (608) 267-0866.