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Where to report reportable diseases
Do you have an animal with a strange disease and aren't sure if you should report it to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health? Finding yourself unsure about which diseases are reportable to the Board?
Thankfully, you don’t have to navigate this maze alone. We are here for you!
Who Must Report
Minnesota state statute 35.06 states, “A person who knows or reasonably suspects that a contagious or infectious disease exists in a domestic animal shall immediately notify the board.” This is further clarified by rule 1721.0020, Subpart 7, which states: “A person who knows or reasonably suspects that an animal is infected with a disease listed on the board’s reportable animal diseases list must immediately report that knowledge or suspicion to the board.”
In short, if you know about it, let us know about it.
What Must be Reported
While there are some diseases that are obviously reportable, like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or African Swine Fever (ASF), there are many other diseases like Canine Influenza, Scrapie and Tuberculosis that require reporting as well. Also, the circumstances and timeline for reporting differs based on the illness. In some cases, suspect cases must be reported immediately, others require confirmatory testing from a diagnostic laboratory.
Sound vague and confusing? Luckily, we have a complete list of reportable diseases including details of presentation, treatment, and specifics for reporting available on our website. The list is also available as a downloadable and printable PDF.
How Reports are to be Made
When you’re ready to report, it’s time to pick up the phone and give us a call. In this case, you have options!
- Minnesota Board of Animal Health: 651-296-2942 or your district veterinarian (business hours)
- Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory: 320-231-5170 (business hours)
- Minnesota Duty Officer: 800-422-0798 (after hours)
If you still have questions about reporting, please feel free to get in touch. For a complete list of program emails, check out our Contact Us page.
Livestock Exhibition Handbook updated
Exhibition season is only a few months away and now is the time to make sure you'll be ready to move your animals to events without going awry of our rules and regulations. Some examples of things you can glean from our sixth edition of this handy handout include:
- Responsibilities of the event manager and official veterinarian.
- Biosecurity recommendations.
- Movement requirements for different species.
- Official identification requirements for different species.
- Disease screening test results you must report before the event.
Save a tree and read the online copy of the Livestock Exhibition Handbook, or print a copy to stash in your truck or livestock trailer so you'll always know before you go.
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