Brucellosis Laws in Indiana: What Cattle and Bison Owners Need to Know
August 13, 2026
Brucellosis is a bacterial disease with serious consequences for livestock health, public health, and agricultural trade — and Indiana takes its regulation seriously. Whether you raise beef cattle, dairy cattle, or bison, understanding how Indiana law addresses brucellosis is essential for staying compliant and protecting your herd.
This guide walks you through Indiana’s brucellosis classification status, vaccination and testing rules, movement requirements, reporting obligations, quarantine procedures, and the penalties you face if you violate state law.
What Is Brucellosis and Why It Is Regulated in Indiana
Brucellosis — also known as contagious abortion or Bang’s disease — is a costly disease of livestock and wildlife caused by bacteria in the genus Brucella. The disease has significant consequences for animal health, public health, and international trade, and it occurs mainly in cattle, bison, and swine, but can also affect cervids, goats, sheep, horses, and people.
In cattle and bison, the bacteria of primary concern is Brucella abortus. When signs do appear, they are most obvious in pregnant animals. Appearance alone is not an effective way to detect brucellosis — infected animals may appear healthy, even during pregnancy, yet can still harbor and spread infectious bacteria and serve as dangerous sources of infection.
Annual losses from lowered milk production, aborted calves and pigs, and reduced breeding efficiency have decreased from more than $400 million in 1952 to less than $1 million today — a reduction made possible by decades of coordinated federal and state eradication efforts. Indiana participates in this program through the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), which enforces the state’s animal health statutes and administrative rules.
Studies have shown that if brucellosis eradication program efforts were stopped, the costs of producing beef and milk would increase by an estimated $80 million annually in less than 10 years. That economic reality underpins why Indiana maintains strict compliance requirements for cattle and bison owners.
Indiana’s Brucellosis Classification Status
Indiana holds the highest possible disease classification under the federal brucellosis eradication program. Under 9 CFR § 78.43, Indiana is listed among the validated brucellosis-free states — a designation that reflects the state’s sustained success in keeping its cattle and bison herds free of the disease.
States are designated brucellosis-free when they have no infected cattle or bison for 12 consecutive months under an active surveillance program, or when additional surveillance measures are in place around areas with brucellosis-infected wildlife to ensure early detection of any disease spillover.
All 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are brucellosis-free, except for the occasional spillover of cases occurring in livestock near the Greater Yellowstone Area due to bison and elk having the disease. Indiana, located far from that wildlife reservoir, maintains its Class Free status without the added complexity faced by states like Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Indiana’s brucellosis laws are codified primarily under Indiana Code (IC) 15-17-8 (Bovine Brucellosis) and implemented through the Indiana Administrative Code (345 IAC 2). You can review the full structure of those laws through the BOAH Animal-Related Laws page. For comparison, see how neighboring states handle similar frameworks in our guides to brucellosis laws in Michigan and brucellosis laws in Minnesota.
Vaccination Requirements in Indiana
Because Indiana holds Class Free status, routine mandatory vaccination of all cattle is not required statewide. However, vaccination remains a critical factor in how animals are classified for testing and movement purposes — and the USDA recommends that all cattle and bison owners discuss vaccination with their veterinarian.
There is a vaccine for brucellosis called RB51, licensed for use in nonpregnant female cattle 4 to 12 months of age. The vaccine provides a significant level of protection — about 70 to 80 percent effective — and is also very effective at preventing abortions, which prevents further disease transmission.
RB51 is available only through an accredited veterinarian, state animal health official, or federal area veterinarian in charge. You cannot obtain or administer this vaccine on your own — it must go through a licensed professional.
Under Indiana’s entry rules, the following categories of cattle are exempt from brucellosis testing requirements when entering the state:
- Beef cattle that are under 24 months of age and that are officially vaccinated, identified with a vaccination tattoo, and accompanied by proof of vaccination.
- Dairy cattle that are under 20 months of age and that are officially vaccinated, identified with a vaccination tattoo, and accompanied by proof of vaccination.
- Steers and spayed heifers (regardless of vaccination status)
- Animals originating from a certified brucellosis-free herd.
Some states do not allow cattle or domestic bison to be moved interstate for breeding without a record of brucellosis vaccination. Even if Indiana does not currently impose a blanket vaccination mandate, documenting your animals’ vaccination history remains important for interstate movement and herd certification purposes.
Testing Requirements for Cattle and Bison in Indiana
Indiana’s testing requirements for brucellosis depend primarily on where an animal originates and its age, sex, and vaccination status. The rules differ for animals already in Indiana versus those entering from other states.
Testing for Cattle Already in Indiana
Cattle from Indiana do not need a brucellosis test or a tuberculosis test for exhibition in Indiana. For routine intrastate movement within the state, brucellosis testing is generally not required as long as Indiana retains its Class Free status. However, testing becomes mandatory when a herd is placed under quarantine or when BOAH determines that testing is advisable.
Any person owning or having custody of cattle where testing is deemed advisable who refuses to permit their cattle to be tested, or fails to render reasonable assistance as set forth in the rule, shall be deemed to have violated the rule and shall be subject to all the penalties provided by law.
Testing for Cattle Entering Indiana
The testing threshold for incoming animals is defined by “test eligible cattle.” All test eligible cattle must have a negative brucellosis test within the 30 days immediately prior to entering Indiana, unless: (1) cattle originate from a state designated brucellosis-free by the USDA; (2) cattle originate from a certified brucellosis-free herd; or (3) cattle are steers or spayed heifers.
Test eligible cattle include the following age and vaccination categories:
| Animal Category | Age Threshold for Testing |
|---|---|
| Cattle not officially vaccinated | 18 months of age or older |
| Official calfhood vaccinates (parturient or postparturient) | 18 months of age or older |
| Official calfhood vaccinates — beef breeds or bison | 24 months of age or older |
| Official calfhood vaccinates — dairy breeds | 20 months of age or older |
For animals coming from USDA Class A and Class B brucellosis states or zones, all dairy and breeding cattle and bison must meet additional requirements. If cattle originate from a certified brucellosis-free herd, no entry test is required. All other dairy and breeding cattle and bison must test negative for brucellosis within the 30 days immediately prior to entering Indiana and must be quarantined at the point of destination, then retested between 45 days and 90 days after entry.
The owner of the animal is responsible for completing any required testing before the animal enters Indiana. Testing must be performed by an accredited veterinarian. Indiana’s cattle and bison identification, movement, and testing laws can be viewed in more detail in 345 IAC 1-2, 345 IAC 1-3-7.5, and 345 IAC 2.
For herd certification, a herd may qualify as certified brucellosis-free by conducting at least two consecutive negative herd blood tests not less than 10 months nor more than 14 months apart. The Certified Brucellosis-Free Herd status is valid for 12 months unless evidence of brucellosis is disclosed or the herd participates in a whole-herd vaccination plan.
Interstate and Intrastate Movement Rules in Indiana
Moving cattle and bison into Indiana — whether from another state or within the state — requires compliance with identification, documentation, and permit rules enforced by BOAH. Understanding these requirements before you transport animals can save you significant time and legal exposure.
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
A CVI is required for entry into Indiana for all cattle and bison, both domestic and wild, with the following exceptions: animals traveling directly to slaughter or to a licensed market for resale as direct to slaughter; animals traveling directly to a licensed market that do not leave Indiana; animals traveling to a facility for veterinary treatment that will return to the state of origin; and animals traveling through the state without being unloaded. The CVI must be issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian within the 30 days immediately prior to the animal entering Indiana.
Pre-Entry Permit
A pre-entry permit is required for all animals that require a paper certificate of veterinary inspection. A pre-entry permit is not required for cattle when the CVI is submitted to BOAH electronically prior to movement. Permits for cattle and bison may be obtained at any time online or Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Eastern), by calling (317) 544-2400, or toll free at (877) 747-3038.
Absolute Entry Prohibitions
Certain animals are barred from entering Indiana under any circumstances:
- No animal that has tested positive for tuberculosis, brucellosis, or any other infectious or contagious disease excluded by the State Veterinarian may enter Indiana.
- No animal that originates from a herd that is quarantined for tuberculosis, brucellosis, or other disease concerns may enter Indiana.
Recordkeeping
Records of all animal movements, including purchases, sales, leases, and barter agreements must be kept for 5 years. Records must include the name and address of buyer and seller, sale date, animal IDs, breed, sex, and reason for movement.
For intrastate movement, cattle or bison, excluding dairy breed females, may move with no restrictions under normal circumstances within Indiana, provided the state retains its Class Free status. If you are also interested in other animal-related regulations in Indiana, see our guides on goat ownership laws in Indiana and hunting laws in Indiana.
Reporting and Quarantine Requirements in Indiana
Indiana law places affirmative obligations on cattle owners, veterinarians, and laboratories to report brucellosis findings and cooperate with quarantine measures. These requirements are central to maintaining the state’s Class Free status.
Reporting Obligations
Brucellosis is a reportable disease in Indiana. Animal health professionals — including veterinarians, diagnostic laboratory personnel, public health officials, zoo and wildlife personnel, and others — are required to report diagnosed or suspected cases of nationally listed reportable animal diseases to APHIS Area Veterinarians in Charge and to the state animal health official. You should contact BOAH immediately if you suspect brucellosis in your herd.
After a program for the control and eradication of brucellosis has begun in a county, each cattle owner in the county shall comply with all existing rules and federal regulations to maintain the county’s certification. This means your obligations extend beyond your own herd — you are part of a county-wide and statewide compliance network.
Quarantine Procedures
When brucellosis is detected in a herd, Indiana’s administrative rules set out a detailed quarantine and testing protocol under 345 IAC 2-6-7. A herd plan for elimination of brucellosis from each infected herd, formalized between the owner and regulatory veterinarian, shall be executed.
All cattle, except steers and spayed heifers, including officially vaccinated heifers and calves in affected herds, shall be confined to the premises until the herd is freed of brucellosis or sold for slaughter. Three consecutive negative herd blood tests are required for release from quarantine, with the first negative herd test occurring not less than 30 days after the removal and slaughter of all previous reactors. The second negative herd blood test shall occur not less than 120 days following the removal of the last reactor. The releasing test shall occur not less than 10 months (299 days) following the removal of the last reactor.
Movement of animals from a quarantined herd is tightly controlled. No suspects or any animals from a brucellosis quarantined herd or quarantined feedlot shall be removed from the premises until a permit for movement (VS Form #1-27) has been obtained from the board or its agent by the owner or caretaker, and the animal is properly identified with an “S” brand.
The status of herds placed under quarantine for brucellosis is to be made known to herd owners in the immediate community. Those herd owners shall be notified by personal contact or by mail, including educational information about the disease.
For a comparison of how other states structure their quarantine and reporting frameworks, see our guides on brucellosis laws in Missouri and brucellosis laws in Nebraska.
Penalties for Brucellosis Violations in Indiana
Indiana treats brucellosis violations seriously, and the penalties reflect that. Violations can rise to the level of felony criminal charges depending on the nature of the offense. The primary penalty provisions are found in IC 15-17-18 (Crimes and Infractions).
Felony-Level Violations
The most serious brucellosis violations in Indiana are classified as Level 6 felonies. These include:
- Moving any cattle classified as a reactor or suspected of being affected with brucellosis as disclosed by a test recognized by the board, except for immediate slaughter or by special permit from the board.
- Knowingly or intentionally transporting a domestic animal identified as a reactor with other domestic animals, except where the other domestic animals are being transported for immediate slaughter.
- Knowingly or intentionally violating or failing to comply with the animal health article of the Indiana Code.
A Level 6 felony in Indiana carries a sentencing range of 6 months to 2.5 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. These are not minor infractions — they represent the state’s most serious civil and criminal enforcement tools for protecting herd health.
Infraction-Level Violations
A person who knowingly or intentionally violates or fails to comply with a rule adopted under the animal health article commits a Class A infraction. Class A infractions in Indiana can result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.
Regulatory Violations
Beyond criminal and civil penalties, administrative violations — such as refusing to permit testing, failing to maintain required records, or moving animals without proper permits — expose you to enforcement action by BOAH. Any person owning or having custody of cattle who refuses to permit their cattle to be tested or fails to render reasonable assistance shall be deemed to have violated the rule and shall be subject to all the penalties provided by law.
| Violation Type | Classification | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Moving a brucellosis reactor without permit | Level 6 Felony | 6 months to 2.5 years imprisonment; up to $10,000 fine |
| Transporting reactor with non-reactor animals | Level 6 Felony | 6 months to 2.5 years imprisonment; up to $10,000 fine |
| Knowingly violating the animal health article | Level 6 Felony | 6 months to 2.5 years imprisonment; up to $10,000 fine |
| Violating a rule adopted under the article | Class A Infraction | Civil penalty up to $10,000 |
| Refusing to permit required testing | Regulatory/Administrative | BOAH enforcement action; subject to all statutory penalties |
If you have questions about compliance, BOAH recommends consulting a licensed veterinarian and contacting the agency directly. You can also review other Indiana animal law topics on this site, including backyard chicken laws in Indiana, wildlife removal laws in Indiana, and beekeeping laws in Indiana. For brucellosis rules in other states, see our guides on brucellosis laws in Nevada.
Indiana’s brucellosis framework is built on prevention, early detection, and strict accountability. As a cattle or bison owner in the state, staying informed about your testing, movement, and reporting obligations is the most effective way to protect your herd, your neighbors’ herds, and your standing under state law. When in doubt, contact BOAH at (317) 544-2397 or toll-free at (877) 747-3038 before you move animals or make decisions that could trigger compliance issues.