Livestock Disease Reporting in Alabama: Rules, Requirements, and What Every Producer Must Know

Alabama’s livestock industry is one of the state’s most economically significant sectors, and protecting it from the spread of infectious disease depends on a fast, accurate reporting system. Whether you raise cattle, swine, poultry, or any other species, knowing when and how to report a suspected disease is not optional — it is a legal obligation backed by state statute and federal oversight.

This guide walks you through every stage of the livestock disease reporting process in Alabama: which diseases are covered, who is responsible for reporting, what symptoms should trigger a call, how to file a report, the timeframes involved, what investigators do after a report is filed, and the penalties for failing to comply.

Reportable Livestock Diseases in Alabama

Alabama’s reportable disease framework operates on two parallel tracks: state-level requirements administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and federal requirements administered by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Both layers apply to producers and veterinarians operating in the state.

At the state level, all persons practicing veterinary medicine in the State of Alabama shall report in writing to the State Veterinarian the existence of any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease listed in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Handbook as reportable. The full official list is maintained in that handbook and updated by the State Veterinarian as conditions change.

At the federal level, the National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS) is the only comprehensive reporting system for World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-reportable diseases in the United States, and the NAHRS reportable disease list includes all WOAH-reportable diseases and other diseases of interest.

The following categories represent certain foreign diseases more apt to be introduced into the United States, as well as those domestic conditions that are reportable and where a diagnosis must be made:

Emerging diseases or other conditions may be added to this list as determined by the State Veterinarian. This means the list is a living document, and producers should confirm the current version directly with ADAI or their accredited veterinarian.

If you raise cattle and want a deeper understanding of the diseases most likely to affect your herd, reviewing common bovine diseases is a practical starting point. For diseases that can cross from animals to humans, the zoonotic disease overview provides important context on why reporting those conditions carries a public health dimension as well.

Who Is Required to Report a Livestock Disease in Alabama

The reporting obligation in Alabama is not limited to licensed veterinarians. While veterinarians carry the most explicit legal duty, the state’s framework is designed so that anyone with direct knowledge of a suspicious disease condition has a role to play in protecting the broader herd population.

Licensed and Accredited Veterinarians carry the primary statutory burden. All persons practicing veterinary medicine in the State of Alabama shall report in writing to the State Veterinarian the existence of any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease listed in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Handbook as reportable. Accredited veterinarians — those with USDA accreditation — also carry federal reporting obligations under 9 CFR Chapter I.

Diagnostic Laboratory Personnel have a specific reporting duty for certain pathogens. All persons performing poultry disease diagnostic services within the state are required to report to the Official State Agency for the National Poultry Improvement Plan within 48 hours the source of all poultry specimens from which Salmonella Pullorum or Salmonella Gallinarum is isolated.

Livestock Owners and Producers are expected to notify the State Veterinarian when they observe suspicious disease conditions in their animals, particularly for high-priority foreign animal diseases. You should report to your State or Federal veterinarian any suspicious clinical or necropsy findings, including a history of the diseased animal’s recent contact with either people or animals recently returned from a foreign country, or any disease of unknown etiology causing high mortality and/or morbidity.

Livestock Market Operators are also subject to disease-related notification requirements under Alabama’s sanitary rules for public livestock markets, which mandate proper handling, segregation, and reporting of sick animals observed at market facilities.

• Licensed veterinarians (state and federally accredited)
• Diagnostic laboratory personnel and pathologists
• Livestock owners, operators, and farm managers
• Livestock market operators and dealers
• Slaughter facility operators who observe ante-mortem or post-mortem signs
• Anyone with direct knowledge of a suspected foreign animal disease

For comparison, see how neighboring states structure their reporting obligations: Florida’s livestock disease reporting rules and Illinois livestock disease reporting requirements both outline similar multi-party duty frameworks.

Signs and Symptoms That Trigger a Report in Alabama

You do not need a confirmed laboratory diagnosis before filing a report in Alabama. The reporting obligation is triggered by clinical observation — when you see signs that are consistent with a reportable disease, that is the moment to act. Waiting for diagnostic confirmation before notifying authorities can allow a disease to spread and may itself constitute a violation.

Suspicious disease conditions that should be reported to your State or Federal veterinarian are vesicular diseases, mucosal diseases, hemorrhagic septicemia, “abortion storms” of unknown etiology, central nervous system or undiagnosed encephalitic conditions, unusual numbers of acute deaths, avian disease with acute deaths and/or central nervous system conditions, severe respiratory conditions, pox or lumpy skin conditions, and unusual myiasis or acariasis (exotic flies, mites, ticks, etc.).

The following breakdown organizes these trigger symptoms by what you are likely to observe in the field:

Sudden or Mass Mortality
Any unexplained death event — particularly when multiple animals die in a short window — demands immediate attention. Anthrax, for example, can cause sudden death with minimal preceding signs. A cluster of unexplained deaths in a herd or flock is one of the clearest red flags in livestock disease surveillance.

Blisters, Sores, and Vesicular Lesions
Blister-like lesions on the mouth, tongue, hooves, teats, or snout are classic indicators of foot-and-mouth disease and vesicular stomatitis. These lesions typically cause excessive salivation, lameness, and reluctance to eat or move. Any vesicular condition in cattle, swine, or horses should be treated as a potential foreign animal disease until proven otherwise.

Neurological and CNS Signs
Staggering, circling, seizures, aggression, or other abnormal behaviors affecting the central nervous system — especially in cattle — may indicate BSE, rabies, or other encephalitic conditions. Central nervous system or undiagnosed encephalitic conditions are explicitly listed among Alabama’s priority reportable conditions.

Reproductive Failures
Abortion storms — multiple animals in a herd experiencing unexplained pregnancy loss in a short period — are a recognized trigger for reporting. Certain diseases can result in decreased reproductive efficiency, early embryonic death, abortion, pyometra, and transient infertility in infected cattle. Bovine trichomoniasis is one Alabama-specific example where reproductive signs are the primary clinical indicator.

Severe Respiratory Distress
Rapid-onset respiratory illness affecting multiple animals, especially in poultry, may indicate highly pathogenic avian influenza or Newcastle disease. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and USDA APHIS have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Alabama commercial operations in recent years, making respiratory surveillance in poultry particularly critical.

Unusual Skin, Pox, or Parasite Conditions
Pox lesions, lumpy skin conditions, or the presence of exotic parasites — including unfamiliar fly species, mites, or ticks — should be reported. The New World Screwworm is a reportable infestation and represents the kind of exotic parasite finding that demands immediate contact with state or federal authorities.

Understanding the full range of diseases that can affect your flock is also essential for poultry producers. The Newcastle disease overview and the guide to diseases in birds provide useful background on avian conditions that overlap with reportable categories.

How to Report a Livestock Disease in Alabama

Alabama uses a direct-contact reporting model for livestock disease. There is no single online portal for all reports — instead, you contact the appropriate authority by phone, with written follow-up required in certain circumstances. Knowing the right contact before a disease event occurs is one of the most practical steps you can take as a producer.

Step 1: Contact the Alabama State Veterinarian
Veterinarians encountering reportable conditions should report promptly by phone to the State Veterinarian at 334-240-7253 or the Federal (USDA) Assistant District Director (AL/TN) at 615-781-5310 (after hours: 1-866-536-7593). Livestock owners who observe suspicious conditions should call the same numbers.

Step 2: Provide Complete Information
When you call, be prepared to provide the following details to allow investigators to respond quickly and accurately:

1. Your name, farm or operation name, physical address, and county
2. Contact phone number where you can be reached immediately
3. Species affected and approximate number of animals showing signs
4. Description of clinical signs observed and when they first appeared
5. Recent animal movement history — purchases, sales, shows, or transport
6. Any contact with people or animals recently returned from foreign countries
7. Treatments already attempted and the animal’s response (or lack of response)
8. Any recent deaths and whether carcasses are available for necropsy

Step 3: Report to the Correct Channel for Your Animal Type
Alabama has specific reporting pathways depending on the species involved:

• General livestock (cattle, swine, horses, sheep, goats): Alabama State Veterinarian — 334-240-7253
• Sick or dead domestic birds and poultry: Report to ADAI’s Poultry Unit at 334-240-6584.
• Sick or dead wild birds: Report to the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation at 334-242-3469.
• After-hours foreign animal disease emergencies: USDA FAD Hotline — 1-866-536-7593

Step 4: Follow Up in Writing When Required
For diseases listed in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Handbook, veterinarians are required to follow up their phone notification with a written report to the State Veterinarian. Producers should ask their attending veterinarian to confirm that this written follow-up has been completed.

Step 5: Cooperate with the Investigation
Once a report is filed, state and potentially federal investigators will initiate an on-site response. If you suspect a highly contagious foreign or reportable disease, phone the Veterinary Official and the State Animal Health Official directly from the farm or premises. Do not move animals off the premises until you have spoken with authorities.

Producers in other states can compare Alabama’s process with the procedures outlined for Michigan livestock disease reporting and Colorado livestock disease reporting to understand how state frameworks differ in practice.

Reporting Deadlines and Timeframes in Alabama

Alabama’s reporting timeframes vary depending on whether a disease is classified as a high-priority foreign animal disease, a domestic reportable condition, or a federally monitored disease. Understanding the tier your situation falls into determines how quickly you must act.

Immediate / Same-Day Reporting (Foreign Animal Diseases and High-Priority Conditions)
For any suspected foreign animal disease — foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, highly pathogenic avian influenza, or similar conditions — reporting must happen immediately upon suspicion. 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. There is no grace period for these conditions.

48-Hour Reporting (Specific Poultry Pathogens)
All persons performing poultry disease diagnostic services within the state are required to report to the Official State Agency for the National Poultry Improvement Plan within 48 hours the source of all poultry specimens from which Salmonella Pullorum or Salmonella Gallinarum is isolated. This 48-hour window applies specifically to laboratory personnel who identify these pathogens.

Federal NLRAD Timeframes
Under the federal National List of Reportable Animal Diseases (NLRAD) framework, which applies in parallel with state requirements: report notifiable diseases or conditions within 24 hours, and monitored diseases or conditions within 30 days.

Reporting under NLRAD does not supersede state requirements or notification processes for foreign animal disease/emerging disease incidents or other regulated/high-priority endemic disease reporting requirements. In other words, the federal clock does not override Alabama’s state-level obligations — both apply, and the stricter deadline governs.

What Happens After You Report in Alabama

Filing a report sets a coordinated response in motion. The speed and scope of that response will depend on what disease is suspected, but the general sequence follows a consistent pattern across state and federal protocols.

Initial Assessment and Field Investigation
After your report is received, the State Veterinarian’s office will initiate an investigation. The State Veterinarian shall exercise all the powers vested in the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in the enforcement of the provisions of the state livestock sanitary laws and rules promulgated thereunder, and shall provide for the health of all domestic animals including poultry, and provide for the control and eradication of infectious, contagious, or communicable diseases. In practice, this means a state animal health official — and for high-risk cases, a USDA APHIS Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician — will visit your premises.

During the field investigation, investigators will:

• Conduct a thorough clinical examination of affected and apparently healthy animals
• Review herd records, movement history, and purchase documentation
• Collect diagnostic samples for submission to the laboratory
• Assess biosecurity practices on the premises
• Interview the producer, farm manager, and attending veterinarian

Laboratory Testing
Samples collected on-site are submitted to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory or, for suspected foreign animal diseases, to the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. All such reports are to be promptly followed by an investigation by the Official State Agency to determine the origin of the infection.

Quarantine and Movement Restrictions
If the investigation warrants it, the State Veterinarian has authority to place your premises under quarantine. Quarantined livestock and poultry shall not be moved from the field, pasture, lot, or enclosure in which they are quarantined except by special permission in written or printed form given by the State Veterinarian and countersigned by an Assistant State Veterinarian or animal health technician.

A real-world example of how this process unfolds: In response to the detection of HPAI in Alabama, state officials quarantined the affected premises at the local broiler operation and culled all birds — approximately 116,000 in Cullman County and 70 in Pickens County — to prevent the spread of the disease.

Herd Plan Development
For confirmed positive cases, especially for diseases like CWD, brucellosis, or tuberculosis in cervids, if a positive test is determined and confirmed, the test results shall be confirmed through another qualified testing facility, and if confirmed, a herd plan shall be forthwith developed and executed.

Depopulation and Indemnification
In severe cases, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries is authorized under Alabama Code Section 2-15-160 to destroy animals affected by or exposed to disease. When this occurs, owners are entitled to indemnification based on appraised value under Sections 2-15-161 through 2-15-165 of the Alabama Code. Working through an accredited veterinarian during the reporting process helps ensure the appraisal and indemnification process is documented correctly from the start.

Penalties for Failing to Report in Alabama

Alabama law treats the failure to report a reportable livestock disease as a serious violation, not a minor administrative oversight. The consequences can be financial, legal, and operational — affecting not just your current animals but your ability to continue operating.

Statutory Penalties Under Alabama Code
Violations of Alabama’s livestock disease control laws and the rules and regulations promulgated under them are addressed under Section 2-15-174 — Penalty for Violations of Article or Rules or Regulations of Department, Commissioner, Etc. This provision establishes the legal basis for enforcement action against producers, veterinarians, or any other party who fails to comply with reporting requirements.

Veterinary License Consequences
For licensed veterinarians, failure to report a reportable disease is not merely a regulatory infraction — it can constitute professional misconduct. States such as Alabama have reporting requirements in their rules of professional responsibility for licensed veterinarians. A veterinarian who knowingly fails to report a reportable disease may face disciplinary action by the Alabama Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, up to and including license suspension or revocation.

Operational Consequences
Beyond formal penalties, failing to report a disease that subsequently spreads to neighboring operations can expose you to civil liability. If investigators determine that delayed reporting contributed to a wider outbreak, you may be held responsible for damages suffered by other producers in the affected area.

Loss of Indemnification Eligibility
One of the most immediate financial consequences of non-reporting is the potential loss of indemnification. Alabama’s indemnification program for depopulated animals is available to producers who cooperate with state and federal authorities. A producer who conceals a disease condition — or delays reporting to the point that animals must be destroyed without proper appraisal — may forfeit their right to compensation.

Federal Penalties
For accredited veterinarians with federal USDA accreditation, failure to report diseases covered under federal programs can result in revocation of accreditation status. An accredited veterinarian shall immediately report to both the Veterinary Official 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. Failure to do so is a violation of federal accreditation standards.

Understanding how penalties are structured in neighboring states can provide useful context. Review the California livestock disease reporting framework for a comparison of how a larger state enforces its reporting obligations. You can also explore the broader Florida livestock disease reporting guide for another Gulf Coast state perspective.

Livestock disease reporting is ultimately a shared responsibility — one that protects not just your operation, but every producer in Alabama. The reporting system only works when every link in the chain, from the farm to the laboratory to the State Veterinarian’s office, functions as intended. Knowing your obligations and acting on them without delay is the single most effective step you can take to protect your animals, your neighbors’ animals, and the long-term health of Alabama’s agricultural economy.