Livestock Disease Reporting in Arkansas: Rules Every Producer Must Know

If you raise cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, or any other livestock in Arkansas, understanding disease reporting obligations is not optional — it is a legal requirement that protects your operation, your neighbors, and the state’s agricultural economy.

Arkansas is a national leader in livestock and poultry production, and the state’s reporting framework exists to catch dangerous diseases early before they spread across herds, flocks, and state lines. This guide walks you through every step of the process, from knowing which diseases trigger a report to understanding the consequences of failing to act.

Reportable Livestock Diseases in Arkansas

Arkansas maintains its own official list of reportable diseases for livestock and poultry, separate from — but aligned with — federal requirements. The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission publishes a dedicated Reportable Diseases regulation, alongside specific rules covering tuberculosis, scrapie, trichomoniasis, and the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division works to protect both animal and human health by preventing, controlling, and responding to zoonotic and other communicable animal diseases that pose a risk to Arkansas’s livestock, poultry, and food supply. The reportable disease list reflects that dual mission.

At the state level, reportable diseases for poultry are defined in the Arkansas Code of Rules and include conditions such as Pullorum-Typhoid (PT), Avian Influenza (AI), and virulent Newcastle disease. For general livestock, the state’s list draws from three overlapping frameworks:

• Arkansas state-designated reportable diseases — conditions identified in the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission’s Reportable Diseases regulation
• USDA program diseases — including brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, equine infectious anemia (EIA), scrapie, pseudorabies, and chronic wasting disease (CWD)
• Foreign animal diseases (FADs) — diseases not normally found in the United States that require immediate reporting

Reportable program diseases include Aujeszky’s disease (pseudorabies), bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus and Brucella suis, chronic wasting disease (CWD), equine infectious anemia (EIA), equine viral arteritis (EVA), and scrapie. These are diseases for which USDA operates active control or eradication programs.

Examples of foreign animal diseases include foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF), and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Any suspicion of these diseases in your herd or flock requires immediate notification — do not wait for laboratory confirmation.

For cattle specifically, Arkansas also mandates reporting and testing requirements related to trichomoniasis and tuberculosis under separate commission rules. You can review the full current Reportable Diseases regulation through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture rules page. For a broader look at diseases that affect cattle, see this overview of bovine disease.

Who Is Required to Report a Livestock Disease in Arkansas

Reporting obligations in Arkansas extend well beyond licensed veterinarians. The state and federal frameworks both cast a wide net to ensure that disease information reaches authorities as quickly as possible.

Any person having knowledge that a poultry flock is infected with a reportable disease must immediately report such information to the State Veterinarian. This language — “any person” — is intentionally broad and applies to flock owners, farm managers, employees, and integrators alike.

For general livestock, the reporting obligation similarly covers a broad range of parties. The vast majority of reporting of notifiable diseases will occur through veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories; however, due to the serious nature of notifiable diseases and their possible negative impact on U.S. animal agriculture and trade, any animal health professional who has knowledge or suspicion of these diseases is required to report them promptly.

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.

In practical terms, the following parties carry reporting responsibilities in Arkansas:

• Licensed and accredited veterinarians — have the strongest legal duty and are specifically required under federal APHIS regulations to report diagnosed or suspected cases
• Livestock and poultry producers and owners — must report when they have knowledge of a reportable disease in their herd or flock
• Farm employees and managers — included under the “any person” standard for poultry flocks
• Diagnostic laboratory personnel — must coordinate with state and federal officials upon confirmed findings
• Livestock dealers, haulers, and market operators — responsible for compliance when moving or handling animals

An accredited veterinarian shall immediately report to both the Veterinary Official (VO) and the State Animal Health Official all diagnosed or suspected cases of a communicable animal disease for which APHIS has a control or eradication program in 9 CFR chapter I, and all diagnosed or suspected cases of any animal disease not known to exist in the United States.

If you are unsure whether your role creates a reporting obligation, the safest approach is to contact the Arkansas State Veterinarian’s office directly. Reporting a concern that turns out to be a common condition carries no penalty; failing to report a true reportable disease can.

Signs and Symptoms That Trigger a Report in Arkansas

You do not need a confirmed laboratory diagnosis to trigger a reporting obligation in Arkansas. Suspicion alone — based on clinical signs — is sufficient and, in many cases, legally required. Waiting for test results before making a call can cost critical days in disease containment.

Report any suspicious clinical or necropsy findings accompanied by a history of people or animals that have recently returned from a foreign country, and report any disease of unknown etiology causing high mortality or morbidity.

The following clinical presentations should prompt an immediate call to the Arkansas State Veterinarian:

• Vesicular lesions — blisters or sores on the mouth, tongue, feet, or teats of cattle, swine, or sheep (a hallmark sign of foot-and-mouth disease and vesicular stomatitis)
• Sudden, unexplained mass mortality — multiple animals dying rapidly without a clear cause
• Severe respiratory distress — especially in poultry flocks, which can indicate highly pathogenic avian influenza or Newcastle disease
• Neurological signs — staggering, circling, seizures, or progressive weakness (relevant for rabies, CWD, and BSE)
• Rapid spread of illness — disease moving quickly through a herd or flock in a way that suggests a highly contagious pathogen
• Abortion storms — multiple animals aborting in a short period, which can indicate brucellosis or other reportable conditions
• Unusual swelling or hemorrhaging — particularly in swine, which can suggest African swine fever or classical swine fever

Some reportable diseases and foreign animal diseases can look like a lot of other common diseases. Others might not fit the usual picture of disease. This is why erring on the side of reporting is always the right call — state veterinarians are trained to assess ambiguous presentations.

For poultry producers, the trigger threshold is particularly clear: any person having knowledge that a poultry flock is infected with a reportable disease must immediately report such information to the State Veterinarian. Diseases like Pullorum-Typhoid, Avian Influenza, and virulent Newcastle disease fall under mandatory depopulation protocols once confirmed, making early reporting critical for accessing USDA indemnity programs. Learn more about diseases that affect birds to better recognize early warning signs.

You should also report any situation where animals have been recently imported from a foreign country or a quarantined area and are showing signs of illness, even if the specific disease is not yet identified. No animal, including poultry or birds of any species, that is affected with or that has been recently exposed to any infectious, contagious or communicable disease or that originates from a quarantined area, or area of lesser disease status, shall be shipped or in any manner transported or moved into Arkansas until written permission for such entry is first obtained from the State Veterinarian.

How to Report a Livestock Disease in Arkansas

Reporting a suspected or confirmed livestock disease in Arkansas involves contacting the right authorities through the right channels. The process is straightforward, but knowing exactly who to call — and what information to have ready — makes a significant difference in response time.

Primary Contact: Arkansas State Veterinarian

The Arkansas State Veterinarian, operating under the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division, is your primary point of contact for all livestock and poultry disease reports. Any person, firm, or corporation having suspicion that a flock of poultry is infected with a pathogenic disease may report such fact to the state veterinarian.

Secondary Contact: USDA-APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge

For diseases that fall under federal reporting requirements — particularly foreign animal diseases and USDA program diseases — you must also notify the USDA-APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC) for Arkansas. Use the dropdown menu on the APHIS website to find the APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge for your state. This is contact information during normal business hours. For after hours and weekends, call the FAD Hotline at 866-536-7593.

What to Have Ready When You Call

Have the following information available: producer or owner name, address, county, and phone number; contact information for you, including your name, address, and relevant phone numbers. You should also be prepared to describe:

1. The species and approximate number of animals affected
2. The clinical signs you have observed and when they first appeared
3. Whether any animals have died, and approximately how many
4. Any recent animal movements, purchases, or exposures to outside animals
5. Your herd or flock identification numbers, if applicable
6. Any treatments already administered

If you suspect a highly contagious foreign or reportable disease — such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, or highly pathogenic avian influenza — phone the Veterinary Official and the State Animal Health Official directly from the farm or premises. Do not move animals off the property while awaiting a response.

For sheep and goat producers with scrapie-related concerns, reporting also involves the Voluntary Flock Certification Program (VFCP). Commingling of sheep or goats of different flock status as defined by the Voluntary Flock Certification Program must be reported to the VFCP state official and State Veterinarian. You can find additional guidance on livestock disease reporting in Florida and livestock disease reporting in Colorado to compare how neighboring and peer states structure their reporting processes. For a broader understanding of zoonotic diseases that may trigger both animal health and public health reporting obligations, reviewing that resource is also worthwhile.

Reporting Deadlines and Timeframes in Arkansas

The speed at which you report a suspected disease is one of the most critical variables in whether an outbreak can be contained. Arkansas regulations and federal guidelines both emphasize immediacy, with different urgency levels depending on the disease category.

Please report notifiable diseases or conditions within 24 hours. For foreign animal diseases and any disease of unknown etiology causing high mortality, “immediately” means as soon as you observe the signs — not after running your own tests or consulting with a neighbor.

Any person having knowledge that a poultry flock is infected with a reportable disease must immediately report such information to the State Veterinarian. The word “immediately” in Arkansas poultry regulations carries legal weight and leaves no room for delay once you have knowledge of a reportable condition.

For monitored diseases — those that are endemic in the United States — the reporting structure is different. Monitored diseases are those that are endemic in the United States. Monthly reporting is conducted by State Animal Health Officials and laboratories. APHIS uses data gathered to monitor changes in disease occurrence over time. As a producer, your role in monitored disease reporting is primarily to notify your veterinarian, who coordinates with state officials.

It is also worth noting that reporting under the NLRAD does not supersede state requirements or notification processes for FAD-Emerging Disease Incidents or other regulated/high-priority endemic disease reporting requirements. In other words, meeting the federal 24-hour deadline does not relieve you of any more immediate state-level obligation. Both sets of rules apply concurrently.

What Happens After You Report in Arkansas

Once you make a report to the Arkansas State Veterinarian, a structured response process begins. Understanding what to expect helps you cooperate effectively and protects your eligibility for any available indemnity or assistance programs.

Step 1: Initial Assessment and Quarantine Decision

The State Veterinarian, after consultation with the Director of the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Division, may quarantine any bird he or she suspects to be infected with a reportable disease. For general livestock, a similar quarantine authority applies. A quarantine order restricts the movement of animals, people, equipment, and materials on and off the affected premises.

Step 2: Diagnostic Testing and Confirmation

The State Veterinarian may direct that employees of the Department of Agriculture conduct further tests of the suspect flock to identify and/or confirm the existence of a reportable disease. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory results will provide the confirmation necessary for the provisions of this part to be carried out.

Step 3: Administrative Agreement and Disease Management Plan

Upon confirmation of a reportable disease, the State Veterinarian works with the producer to determine the appropriate course of action. For poultry, this typically involves one of three paths:

1. Flock treatment plan — developed under the direction of an accredited veterinarian, including quarantine, biosecurity protocols aligned with the USDA Defend the Flock program, NPIP certification, and ongoing testing and record-keeping
2. Permanent quarantine — all birds on the affected premises remain under quarantine for the life of the flock, with any new birds introduced also placed under quarantine
3. Depopulation — all birds on the premises are destroyed

In cases of PT, AI, or Newcastle disease, depopulation is the only option as long as indemnity is available through the United States Department of Agriculture. This is a critical reason to report promptly — USDA indemnity programs are only accessible when proper reporting and response protocols are followed.

Step 4: Cleaning, Disinfection, and Repopulation

The producer shall clean, disinfect, and use rodenticides and insecticides in compliance with United States Department of Agriculture current policies and standards. A depopulated house will lay vacant after cleaning and disinfecting and after the use of rodenticide and insecticides for the length of time required by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or the State Veterinarian.

For cattle and other livestock, the response process follows a similar trajectory: quarantine, testing, and then a management plan that may include herd depopulation with indemnity (for diseases like brucellosis or bovine TB), treatment and monitoring, or ongoing surveillance. A foreign animal disease in the United States would restrict the movement of livestock and disrupt interstate and international trade. If your animals become infected with a reportable disease or foreign animal disease, they may be required to be euthanized.

Producers in other states deal with similar frameworks. See how the process compares in livestock disease reporting in California, livestock disease reporting in Illinois, and livestock disease reporting in Michigan for context on how state responses are structured nationally.

Penalties for Failing to Report in Arkansas

Failing to report a reportable livestock disease in Arkansas is not a minor administrative oversight. The state’s livestock and poultry laws carry meaningful consequences for non-compliance, and federal regulations add an additional layer of potential liability.

State-Level Consequences

Under Arkansas law, violations of livestock and poultry commission regulations — including failure to report reportable diseases — can result in civil and criminal penalties. The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission has authority to pursue enforcement actions against any person, firm, or corporation that fails to comply with state animal health regulations.

Livestock and poultry moving into Arkansas found to be in non-compliance with Arkansas laws and regulations shall be quarantined to nearest facility until all requirements are met on said animals to meet specifications. Expenses for all costs, including feed, hauling, rent, death loss, etc., shall be borne by the owner, shipper or responsible person involved, before animals may be released. This cost-bearing provision can translate into significant financial liability if a non-reported disease leads to a quarantine situation.

Federal-Level Consequences

At the federal level, 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. Failure to comply with federal reporting requirements under 9 CFR can result in:

• Suspension or revocation of USDA accreditation for veterinarians
• Civil monetary penalties under the Animal Health Protection Act
• Loss of eligibility for USDA indemnity payments in the event of herd or flock depopulation
• Potential criminal charges for willful violations involving foreign animal diseases

Loss of Indemnity Eligibility

One of the most financially significant penalties for failing to report is the loss of access to USDA indemnity programs. When a herd or flock must be depopulated due to a foreign animal disease or high-priority reportable disease, producers who followed proper reporting protocols are eligible for compensation. Those who delayed or failed to report — and whose failure contributed to disease spread — may be disqualified from receiving any indemnity payments.

Reputational and Market Consequences

Beyond legal penalties, failure to report can result in loss of contracts with integrators, processors, and buyers who require compliance with state and federal animal health regulations. Livestock and poultry producers are responsible for preventing their animals from becoming infected and preventing infection from spreading to other farms if they become infected. Demonstrating that you take that responsibility seriously — by reporting promptly — protects your business relationships as much as your legal standing.

For a broader perspective on disease management obligations that intersect with livestock reporting, the resources on livestock disease reporting in Florida and the general guide to zoonotic diseases provide useful context on how animal diseases can cross the human health threshold and trigger additional reporting requirements beyond the agricultural system.

If you are uncertain about your specific obligations, contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division or consult with an accredited veterinarian who is familiar with Arkansas livestock regulations. Acting early, reporting promptly, and cooperating fully remain the most effective ways to protect your animals, your operation, and Arkansas agriculture as a whole.