Livestock Disease Reporting in Indiana: Rules, Deadlines, and What to Expect

If you raise livestock in Indiana, understanding your disease reporting obligations is not optional — it is a legal requirement with real consequences for noncompliance. Whether you manage a cattle herd, a swine operation, a poultry flock, or any other livestock enterprise, state law places specific duties on you to notify the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) when certain diseases appear or are suspected.

This guide walks you through every aspect of livestock disease reporting in Indiana: which diseases are covered, who must report, what symptoms should trigger a report, how to file, and what happens after you do. Knowing the rules in advance helps you protect your animals, your neighbors’ herds, and Indiana’s agricultural economy.

Reportable Livestock Diseases in Indiana

Indiana maintains a list of animal diseases that must be reported to the Board of Animal Health. Veterinarians, lab diagnosticians, and producers bear specific levels of reporting responsibility under the rule (345 IAC 1-6-2). Diseases on the list pose a significant risk to economic, animal, and/or human health in Indiana and the United States.

Effective July 1, 2022, under 345 IAC 1-6-2, the following diseases — among others — must be reported to the State Veterinarian within 24 hours of a diagnosis and/or identification of clinical signs: Akabane (congenital arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome), Brucellosis (B. abortus, B. canis, B. ovis, B. melitensis, B. suis), and Trichinella spp. The full list spans multiple species categories and includes both foreign animal diseases and endemic conditions of serious concern.

The following table provides an overview of key reportable disease categories under Indiana’s rule:

You can review the complete and current disease list directly on the BOAH Reportable Disease List page. It is important to check this page regularly, as the list is subject to regulatory updates. You may also find it useful to review common bovine diseases and zoonotic diseases that overlap with Indiana’s reportable conditions.

Who Is Required to Report a Livestock Disease in Indiana

Indiana maintains a list of animal diseases that must be reported to the Board of Animal Health. Veterinarians, lab diagnosticians, and producers bear specific levels of reporting responsibility under the rule. Each group has distinct obligations, and understanding where you fall is essential to staying compliant.

• Licensed Veterinarians: Any accredited or licensed veterinarian who diagnoses or observes clinical signs consistent with a reportable disease in a livestock patient is legally required to notify BOAH. This obligation applies regardless of whether a laboratory confirmation has been received.
• Laboratory Diagnosticians: Diagnostic laboratory personnel who identify a reportable pathogen through testing are required to report findings to the State Veterinarian. Laboratories may establish a reporting agreement with BOAH that does not require reporting every diagnosis of a particular disease if the reporting standard is consistent with the National Animal Health Reporting System and board programs.
• Livestock Producers and Owners: If you own or manage livestock and observe signs consistent with a reportable disease — especially if a veterinarian is not immediately available — you are also obligated to report. Producers are not exempt simply because they are not medical professionals.
• Livestock Market Operators: BOAH also regulates the care and handling of livestock being bought and sold in Indiana, by licensing and inspecting livestock market facilities, auction and renderers. Operators of these facilities who encounter sick animals have reporting obligations as well.

By law, any diagnosis of a disease listed as reportable requires prompt notification to the State Veterinarian. This means the reporting duty is triggered at the point of diagnosis or reasonable suspicion — not just after laboratory confirmation.

If you operate across state lines or receive animals from out of state, additional traceability requirements apply. Any person or organization, including a veterinarian, that distributes official animal identification devices is required to keep a record for five years of the device identification number as well as the name and address of the device recipient.

Signs and Symptoms That Trigger a Report in Indiana

You do not need a confirmed laboratory diagnosis to trigger your reporting obligation in Indiana. The reporting requirement is activated upon a diagnosis and/or identification of clinical signs. This means observable symptoms alone — before any test results come back — can and should prompt a report.

The following categories of clinical signs should raise immediate concern and trigger contact with BOAH:

• Sudden, unexplained deaths: Multiple animals dying within a short period without an obvious cause is one of the clearest triggers for an emergency report, particularly for diseases like anthrax.
• Severe respiratory distress: Labored breathing, nasal discharge, coughing, or gasping across multiple animals in a flock or herd — especially in poultry — can indicate highly pathogenic avian influenza or Newcastle disease.
• Vesicular lesions: Blisters or sores on the mouth, tongue, feet, or teats of cattle, swine, sheep, or goats may indicate foot-and-mouth disease or vesicular stomatitis, both of which are reportable.
• Neurological signs: Tremors, circling, seizures, or abnormal behavior in any livestock species can signal conditions such as rabies or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
• Reproductive failures: Sudden increases in abortions, stillbirths, or congenital defects — particularly in cattle, sheep, or goats — may point to brucellosis, Akabane, or other reportable diseases.
• Severe gastrointestinal symptoms: Profuse, bloody diarrhea or vomiting in multiple animals simultaneously warrants immediate attention.
• Unusual swelling or hemorrhage: Swelling of the head, neck, or limbs, or unexplained hemorrhaging under the skin or from body orifices, may indicate anthrax or hemorrhagic septicemia.

In general, reportable diseases are those that have human health consequences or significant economic and trade implications. If you notice any combination of the above symptoms — especially affecting multiple animals at once — treat the situation as a potential reportable event and contact BOAH immediately. You can also learn more about zoonotic diseases that may cross from livestock to humans.

How to Report a Livestock Disease in Indiana

Reporting a livestock disease in Indiana is handled through the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. There are several ways to contact BOAH, and choosing the right method depends on the urgency of the situation.

1. Call BOAH directly: For urgent or emergency disease reports, calling is the fastest method. Contact the Indiana State Board of Animal Health Division at (317) 544-2397 or toll free at (877) 747-3038. For after-hours emergencies involving a potential foreign animal disease, you can also contact the USDA APHIS FAD Hotline.
2. Use the online reporting form: The animal health reporting form on BOAH’s website is intended for animal industry professionals to make reports. Information provided will assist BOAH in general animal health monitoring and detecting patterns or trends in a developing situation. This form is accessible at the BOAH Animal Health Reporting System page.
3. Submit via email or fax for movement-related reports: Reports for out-of-state animals that are moving through Indiana markets to Indiana farms must be submitted to BOAH via email to ekoch@boah.in.gov, or via fax to 317-974-2011.
4. Contact the State Veterinarian: By law, any diagnosis of a disease listed as reportable requires prompt notification to the State Veterinarian. The State Veterinarian’s office is the primary recipient of all formal disease reports.

When you make a report, be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your name, contact information, and premises ID (if registered)
• Species affected and approximate number of animals showing signs
• Description of clinical signs observed and when they first appeared
• Any recent animal movements onto or off your property
• Vaccination history and recent veterinary care
• Whether any diagnostic samples have been collected or submitted

By assimilating this information, BOAH may be able to advise veterinarians, shelter operators, and others about disease threats and, potentially, protective actions to keep diseases from spreading.

Note that the BOAH online reporting form has an important limitation: this form is NOT for reporting animal neglect and/or abuse cases. Those situations require contact with local animal control or law enforcement. You can also compare how other states handle this process by reviewing livestock disease reporting in Illinois or livestock disease reporting in Michigan.

Reporting Deadlines and Timeframes in Indiana

Indiana’s reporting rules establish clear timeframes that you must follow. Missing these windows — even by a short period — can put you in violation of state law.

The following diseases must be reported to the State Veterinarian within 24 hours of a diagnosis and/or identification of clinical signs. This 24-hour window is the primary standard for the most serious diseases on Indiana’s reportable list and applies to the full list under 345 IAC 1-6-2 effective July 1, 2022.

Reports for out-of-state animal movements are due on the first and third Fridays of each month. For holidays, submit on the following Monday.

The 24-hour clock starts from the moment you observe clinical signs or receive a diagnosis — not from when you first suspect a problem. If you are a producer who notices symptoms on a Saturday evening, your obligation to report does not wait until Monday morning business hours. For after-hours and weekends, you can call the FAD Hotline at 866-536-7593.

For context on how neighboring states handle similar timelines, see Illinois livestock disease reporting and Michigan livestock disease reporting. States like Colorado and Florida maintain similar 24-hour standards for the most serious conditions.

What Happens After You Report in Indiana

Once you file a report with BOAH, the agency moves quickly to assess the situation. Understanding what to expect after a report helps you cooperate effectively and avoid inadvertently interfering with the response process.

BOAH’s team of veterinarians and animal health inspectors travel to all corners of the state to investigate possible outbreaks of disease and advise animal owners about disease prevention. Depending on the nature and severity of the reported disease, the response can take several forms:

• Initial contact and assessment: A BOAH veterinarian or field inspector will typically contact you to gather more information and assess whether an on-site visit is warranted. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your herd, recent movements, and clinical observations.
• On-site investigation: For serious or foreign animal disease suspicions, BOAH personnel will visit your premises to conduct a physical examination of affected animals, collect diagnostic samples, and evaluate biosecurity conditions.
• Quarantine orders: If a reportable disease is confirmed or strongly suspected, BOAH has the authority to place your premises under quarantine. This restricts the movement of animals, equipment, and personnel on and off your property until the situation is resolved. No animal that has tested positive for tuberculosis, brucellosis, or any other infectious or contagious disease excluded by the State Veterinarian may enter Indiana, and no animal that originates from a herd that is quarantined for tuberculosis, brucellosis, or other disease concerns may enter Indiana.
• Coordination with federal authorities: BOAH staff works closely with veterinarians, farmers, USDA veterinarians, and other states’ animal health officials to monitor the health status of all animals crossing Indiana’s borders. For foreign animal diseases, USDA APHIS will be notified and may take a lead role in the investigation.
• Disease control and eradication planning: BOAH veterinarians also work closely with producers to develop strategies to eradicate existing diseases and prevent the introduction of new infections. You will be an active partner in this process.
• Ongoing surveillance: BOAH will conduct surveillance for reportable diseases in the affected area, which may include testing of neighboring herds or flocks.

Only by actively working to eradicate, control, and prevent potentially economically devastating livestock diseases will Hoosier farmers avoid domestic and international trade barriers. Your cooperation during the post-report process is not just a legal obligation — it is a direct investment in protecting your livelihood and that of other Indiana producers.

If you are also managing companion animals on your property and notice related health concerns, resources such as information on Lyme disease in dogs or tick-borne disease prevention may be relevant, as some vectors affect both livestock and pets.

Penalties for Failing to Report in Indiana

Indiana takes livestock disease reporting seriously, and the state’s legal framework includes penalties for those who fail to comply. The consequences can affect your ability to operate, your professional standing, and your financial position.

Indiana’s animal health statutes fall under IC 15-17, which includes a dedicated chapter on Crimes and Infractions and an Enforcement chapter governing violations of animal health rules. Violations of 345 IAC 1-6-2 — the reportable disease rule — can result in the following consequences:

• Civil penalties and fines: BOAH has enforcement authority under Indiana Code and can pursue civil penalties against producers, veterinarians, or laboratory personnel who fail to report a known or suspected reportable disease within the required timeframe.
• License suspension or revocation: For licensed veterinarians and laboratory diagnosticians, failure to report a reportable disease can result in disciplinary action by the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, including suspension or revocation of professional licensure.
• Increased liability for spread: If a disease spreads to neighboring operations because of a failure to report, the non-reporting party may face significant civil liability. Once a disease gets rolling and proper guidelines are not followed to contain it, it can spread faster than wildfire, infecting not only your herd but neighboring ones.
• Trade and movement restrictions: Producers found to have knowingly failed to report a reportable disease may face restrictions on the sale and movement of their animals, effectively shutting down commercial operations until compliance is established.
• Criminal exposure: In cases involving willful concealment of a reportable disease — particularly a foreign animal disease — criminal charges under IC 35-46-3 or related statutes are possible.

Beyond formal penalties, the practical consequences of non-reporting can be severe. BOAH’s efforts are vital to protecting Indiana’s billion-dollar animal agriculture industry. Only by actively working to eradicate, control, and prevent potentially economically devastating livestock diseases will Hoosier farmers avoid domestic and international trade barriers.

The best way to avoid penalties is straightforward: report promptly, report accurately, and cooperate fully with BOAH’s investigation. When in doubt, contact BOAH at (317) 544-2400 or toll-free at (877) 747-3038. You can also review how other states structure their enforcement by looking at livestock disease reporting in California or livestock disease reporting in Florida.

Staying informed about animal health threats — including those affecting pet birds and poultry that share your property — and understanding the full scope of zoonotic disease risks will help you recognize reportable conditions faster and respond within Indiana’s required timeframes.