Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection 

Service

March 2020

U.S. National List of 

Reportable Animal 

Diseases (NLRAD) System 

Standards - Proposed
March 2020 NLRAD System Standards - Proposed

2 | Page

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To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

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and employer.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................4

Part 1: List Structure and Reporting Requirements.......................................................................................................5

Notifiable Diseases and Conditions...........................................................................................................................5

• Emergency Incidents (foreign animal diseases, exotic vectors, and high priority endemic diseases).........5

• Emerging Disease Incidents .........................................................................................................................5

• Regulated Disease Incidents ........................................................................................................................6

Notifiable Disease Reporting Roles.......................................................................................................................6

Data to report for notifiable diseases...................................................................................................................7

Monitored Diseases ..................................................................................................................................................7

Data to report for monitored diseases.................................................................................................................7

Monitored disease reporting roles.......................................................................................................................7

Part 2: Case Definitions .................................................................................................................................................9

Case Classification .....................................................................................................................................................9

Part 3: Process to Review, Change, and Approve the List ...........................................................................................10

Process for addition or removal of a disease ..........................................................................................................10

Public input on the list of diseases..........................................................................................................................11

Part 4: Electronic Methods to Report..........................................................................................................................12

Notifiable Diseases..................................................................................................................................................12

Monitored Diseases ................................................................................................................................................12

Appendix A: U.S. National List of Reportable Animal Diseases ...................................................................................13

Proposed National List of Reportable Animal Diseases (NLRAD) – 2020.....................................................................13

Appendix B: Laboratory Case Classification and Reporting Requirements .................................................................19

Table A1: Monitored Disease Reporting Guidance for Laboratories ......................................................................19

Table A2: Notifiable Disease Reporting Guidance for Laboratories........................................................................21

Table A3: Emerging Disease Reporting Guidance for Laboratories.........................................................................24
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INTRODUCTION

The United States National List of Reportable Animal Diseases (NLRAD) is in title 9 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations (CFR) part 57. The NLRAD regulation means there is a legal obligation to report detections of disease. 

The joint effort of many stakeholders, including the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), the 

American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), and the National Assembly of State Animal 

Health Officials (NASAHO) resulted in the creation of the NLRAD.

The purpose of the NLRAD is to have consistent animal disease reporting across the United States and to help 

animal health officials protect the U.S. agriculture infrastructure. The NLRAD also supports domestic and 

international commerce; helps meet international reporting obligations to the World Organization for Animal 

Health (OIE) and trading partners; supports the creation of export certifications; contributes to the knowledge of 

zoonotic and endemic animal diseases; and aids in the response to an emerging disease or issue in the United 

States. Finally, the NLRAD helps inform reports made to the World Health Organization’s International Health 

Regulations and Public Health Emergencies of International Concern. 

The national animal disease list (Appendix A), based on the OIE list of reportable diseases, is intended to 

complement and supplement State reportable disease lists. The NLRAD builds on the current National Animal 

Health Reporting System (NAHRS) that facilitates voluntary disease occurrence reporting by State animal health 

officials to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The NLRAD focuses primarily on domestic

livestock, poultry, and aquaculture species. Additionally, we at APHIS recognize that wildlife, companion animals, 

and zoo animals potentially may play an important epidemiologic role in diseases affecting our Nation’s agriculture 

industry; so, while the NRLAD focuses on agriculture, reporting may be required when listed-diseases are found in 

other animals. 

This System Standards document describes the structure and contents of the list, reporting roles, information 

requirements, and APHIS’process for updating the list. The information in these Standards includes feedback from 

animal health organizations, States, and individual reviewers. Stakeholders and appropriate State and Federal 

agencies will review the System Standards, including listed diseases, annually. We will publish a notice in the 

Federal Register to inform stakeholders of any revisions made to these System Standards. 
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PART 1: LIST STRUCTURE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The NLRAD includes two categories: Notifiable Diseases and Conditions and Monitored Diseases (see Appendix A 

for complete list). The term ‘disease’ includes disease agents and pathogens. 

Figure 1. Structure of the NLRAD 

NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS

Notifiable diseases and conditions (notifiable diseases) consist of emergency incidents, emerging disease incidents, 

and regulated disease incidents. 

• EMERGENCY INCIDENTS (FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASES, EXOTIC VECTORS, AND HIGH PRIORITY ENDEMIC 

DISEASES)

Emergency incidents include foreign animal diseases (also called transboundary diseases), exotic vectors 

that are not known to otherwise occur in the United States, and high priority endemic (present) diseases 

that can cause serious impacts to animals, humans, or trade. The NLRAD does not change any regulations 

or requirements for these diseases other than extending reporting rules to any animal health 

professional1 who suspects or confirms the presence of these diseases or vectors.

• EMERGING DISEASE INCIDENTS

 1 An animal health professional is an individual, corporate entity, or animal health organization with formal training 

in the diagnosis or recognition of animal diseases and/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. 

United States National List of 

Reportable Animal Diseases 

(NLRAD)

Emerging 

Disease 

Incidents

Monitored Diseases

Monthly reporting required by 

States and laboratories only

Notifiable Diseases and 

Conditions

Immediate reporting required by 

Animal health professionals

Regulated

Disease Incidents

Emergency Incidents

Foreign animal diseases, 

exotic vectors, and high priority

endemic diseases
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The NLRAD defines an emerging disease as a disease, infection, or infestation in domestic or wild animals 

that is a threat to terrestrial animals, aquatic animals, or humans, and meets one of the following criteria:

a. An unknown agent that is causing disease in a herd/flock/premises and has the potential to 

result in a significant animal or public health impact, and applied diagnostic tests have yielded 

negative or non-definitive results; OR

b. A newly identified agent that is causing disease in a herd/flock/premises and has the 

potential to cause significant animal or public health impact, or is occurring in multiple 

herds/flocks/premises; OR 

c. A previously identified or known pathogenic agent that has a change in epidemiology, such 

as:

• Unexpected production impacts or morbidity/mortality over a previously defined range 

for the agent

• Expanded host range 

• Change in geography of an agent with the potential to cause a significant animal or 

public health impact 

• REGULATED DISEASE INCIDENTS 

Regulated diseases are diseases for which we have regulations for eradication or control programs, such 

as the national tuberculosis eradication program. These diseases have specific instructions related to their 

reporting and control in the CFR. The NLRAD does not change any regulations or requirements for these 

diseases other than extending reporting rules to any animal health professional who suspects or confirms 

their presence.

NOTIFIABLE DISEASE REPORTING ROLES

If you are an animal health professional and you suspect or diagnose a notifiable disease, you must immediately 

report it to both: 

• Your State animal health official (see http://www.usaha.org/Members or NLRAD website for contact 

information) and

• APHIS (NLRAD website)

Case definitions for known diseases (Part 2 below), can help you determine when you have a suspect or confirmed 

case that you need to report.

If you suspect an emerging animal disease, you must report it as soon as you think an animal or groups of animals 

are infected. This awareness may be through observation of case-compatible clinical signs, laboratory test-positive 

samples, or other knowledge of infection. The expectation is that animal health professionals will use their 

background knowledge, professional judgment, and experience to follow the intent of the emerging disease 

definition when making reporting decisions. When we confirm there is an emerging disease, we will decide specific 

details on continued reporting on a case-by-case basis.

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 these diseases.
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DATA TO REPORT FOR NOTIFIABLE DISEASES

Report the following information:

• Animal species and age

• Epidemiological information: clinical signs, case/herd history and type, vaccination history

• Location information: owner information, State where animal is located, zip code, and premises 

identification number (if known) or address

• Testing information (if samples were submitted for diagnostic testing):

o Reason for sample submission

o Sample identification: sample ID, animal ID, species, laboratory accession number, sample type

o Date sample was collected, date sample was tested

o Diagnostic methodology, results, and interpretation 

Emerging disease investigations and outbreaks may require more information depending on the situation. APHIS

will use diagnostic testing results and epidemiological information to detect and evaluate the status of a potential

emerging disease threat. Once we confirm there is an emerging animal disease, we will use this information to 

create specific case definitions and disease reporting criteria. At the time of first reporting, the specific agent 

causing a potential emerging disease may be unknown, or the agent may be a newly identified but incompletely 

characterized strain.

State animal health officials and APHIS must closely communicate and cooperate on required reporting to ensure 

all responsible parties are in the reporting process and duplication of reporting does not become an issue. We will 

monitor reporting and seek to avoid duplication when possible. When we identify duplication, we will 

communicate with appropriate parties.

MONITORED DISEASES

Monitored diseases generally are those that are endemic (present) in the United States and are required to be 

reported in 6-month and annual reports to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). APHIS also uses data 

gathered to monitor changes in disease occurrence over time. The term ‘endemic’ does not fully describe the

prevalence or geographic distribution of the disease. An endemic disease can have very low prevalence (rare 

occurrence) or it can have a high prevalence (common occurrence) and can occur over a limited or broad 

geographical area.

DATA TO REPORT FOR MONITORED DISEASES

States and laboratories must report occurrence (yes/no) information. We may request voluntary submission of 

additional case and testing information for some monitored diseases, such as number of diagnostic tests 

conducted, number of confirmed cases, vaccination status, number of susceptible animals, or other 

epidemiological information. This additional information request will occur when Federal, State, and industry

representatives together identify significant diseases where additional information will help monitor disease 

trends; meet travel and movement requirements; and carry out control, response, and prevention activities.

MONITORED DISEASE REPORTING ROLES

Laboratories and States report monitored diseases monthly. States and all laboratories in the United States 

testing for the listed diseases must follow the NLRAD regulation. This includes laboratories that are publically 

funded, private, or universities. Other individuals do not need to report monitored diseases as part of the NLRAD 
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regulation. Individual State regulations may vary and may require more rapid reporting or reporting from more 

stakeholders. 

• If you are a laboratorian:

o Understand when diseases meet the criteria to report by checking case definitions on the NLRAD 

website (see Part 2 below for more information on case definitions). 

o Review Appendix A to see if we are requesting more than occurrence information for any 

monitored diseases. 

o Send summary reports at least monthly to each State animal health official from States in which 

you have detected a monitored disease. Use a reporting method agreed upon between you and 

the respective State. Laboratory notifications will account for the vast majority of NLRAD-listed 

disease reports. More specific guidelines are provided for you in Appendix B.

• If you are a State animal health official:

o Determine occurrence information (yes/no) for each monitored disease by checking the case 

definitions on the NLRAD website. See Part 2 below for more information on case definitions. 

Data to help determine disease presence comes primarily from veterinary, wildlife, and public 

health diagnostic laboratories, but can include data from any verifiable source.

o If you have a case that does not meet the case definition, you may use more information such as

alternative laboratory testing or epidemiological information to decide whether to report the 

presence of the disease. We recognize that for many diseases, especially endemic diseases, 

individuals may choose not to continue diagnostics to the presumptive/confirmed level of 

testing. 

o Review Appendix A to see if we are requesting more than occurrence information (yes/no) for 

any monitored diseases. 

o Report the information to APHIS monthly though National Animal Health Reporting System 

(NAHRS), or other designated system. The NLRAD website has more information available to help 

you report. 

• If you are another entity with knowledge of a disease on the monitored list: 

o You do NOT need to report monitored diseases to meet NLRAD regulations; however, check 

State-specific regulations for any additional State-level requirements.

Table 1. Summary of reporting responsibilities. 

Notifiable Diseases Monitored Diseases

Diagnostic laboratories Report to State and APHIS 

immediately. 

Report occurrence and other 

requested information to States at 

least monthly

Accredited veterinarians Report to State and APHIS 

immediately.

Reporting not required for NLRAD 

regulation

Non-accredited 

veterinarians

Report to State and APHIS 

immediately.

Reporting not required for NLRAD 

regulation

Other animal health 

professionals

Report to State and APHIS 

immediately.

Reporting not required for NLRAD 

regulation

State officials Communicate and cooperate with 

Tribal Nations and APHIS 

Report occurrence and other 

requested information to APHIS 

monthly
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APHIS Communicate and cooperate with 

States and Tribal Nations. Report

timely, accurate, and consistent 

summary information on current 

health status of U.S. animals. 

Report timely, accurate, and 

continuous summary information on 

current health status of U.S. animals.

PART 2: CASE DEFINITIONS

Knowing when to report a disease depends on the case definition and reporting criteria. We keep a case definition 

and reporting criteria library for listed diseases on the NLRAD webpage. We base these case definitions on known 

diagnostics and the epidemiology of the agents. Case definitions and reporting criteria help standardize reporting 

and reduce reporting inaccuracies. 

We coordinate the development and review of case definitions for all diseases on the list and include diseasespecific expertise from both within and outside the agency. We may ask for input on the case definitions from 

State and Federal animal health officials, diagnosticians, epidemiologists, clinical veterinarians, and other subject 

matter experts as necessary. The VS Deputy Administrator gives final approval of case definitions for foreign 

animal diseases and regulatory program diseases.

Input on case definitions and reporting criteria are welcome. If you have comments on a specific case definition or 

reporting criteria, submit your comments in writing and include supporting scientific evidence. We will review 

your letter and consider your input in the next revision of the disease case definition. 

Send your written comments to:

Attn: NLRAD Office

APHIS VS CEAH

2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. B

Fort Collins, CO 80526

OR

E-mail NLRAD.NAHRS@usda.gov.

CASE CLASSIFICATION

The case classification, or state of knowledge about disease occurrence, defines the trigger for reporting. There are 

three case classification categories: suspect, presumptive positive, and confirmed positive.

In general, we classify known agents from the monitored and notifiable lists as the following (individual case 

definitions will vary):

• Suspect case: Epidemiological information indicating exposure, or clinical signs consistent with the 

disease of concern.

• Presumptive positive: A suspect case with epidemiological information indicating exposure and positive 

screening test. In some instances, reporting occurs at the presumptive level, and further diagnostics are 

not necessary. Specific disease case definitions will state this.
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• Confirmed positive: A laboratory unequivocally determines the presence of the agent of concern using 

the accepted diagnostic test(s).

The case classification for emerging diseases is:

• Suspect: Presence of clinical signs and meets the definition for emerging disease; or laboratory has 

received submissions from multiple sources/farms; or applied diagnostic tests yielded negative or nondefinitive results.

• Presumptive: Laboratory receives preliminary diagnostic results identifying a new, known, or unknown

agent meeting the case definition for emerging animal disease.

• Confirmed: Confirmed presence of a newly identified or known agent via sequencing, virus isolation, or 

other technologies.

We recognize that there are not ‘validated’ assays for all diseases of concern. As such, specific case definitions may 

include a combination of clinical presentation and epidemiology. Laboratories can also apply advanced diagnostics 

to confirm the presence of a pathogen. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories can serve as a reference to 

help with diagnostic work up.

PART 3: PROCESS TO REVIEW, CHANGE, AND APPROVE THE LIST 

The NLRAD is based on the OIE listed diseases. We, in collaboration with State animal health officials and other 

stakeholders, will review the listed diseases annually and recommend changes when necessary. We will start the 

routine review process after May of each year; if there is an emergency issue that requires immediate action, the 

review process will happen as needed. We will first review the list internally and then reach out to stakeholders 

for written comments and additional input. We will consider all input received and finalize the list by November for 

the upcoming year. We will communicate all final changes to the list via a Federal Register notice.

PROCESS FOR ADDITION OR REMOVAL OF A DISEASE 

We will consider updates and edits to the list when:

• The OIE updates their list of reportable diseases, infections, and infestations. All additions to the OIE list 

are automatically included on the NLRAD. Review is necessary to decide whether the disease should be 

notifiable or monitored; review is also necessary to determine when to remove a disease from the list. 

• We identify an emerging issue. 

• We change other disease related regulations.

• There are changes made to the USDA Select Agents and Toxins List or Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC) Category A, B, or C Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases list. All additions to these lists are 

automatically included on the NLRAD. Review is necessary to determine when to remove a disease from 

the list.

• We receive detailed written requests for changes or additions and we determine it is appropriate to 

incorporate the requests.

For us to add a disease onto the list that is not OIE listed, the disease will need to meet one of the following 

conditions:
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1. The disease has a history of causing significant production losses in livestock2, and losses due to morbidity 

or mortality are related to the agent and not solely management or environmental factors. There is a 

direct economic impact from the disease linked to its associated morbidity, mortality, or effects on 

product quality; OR

a. The disease has, or scientific evidence shows that it is likely to have, a significant negative effect on 

wildlife; OR

b. The agent that causes the disease is of high public health concern (zoonotic); natural transmission to 

humans has been proven and human infection is associated with severe consequences.

2. The infectious etiology of the disease is proven, or if the etiology is not yet known, an infectious agent is 

strongly associated with the disease; AND 

a. A repeatable and robust means of detection/diagnosis exists; AND

b. A robust case definition is available to clearly identify cases and how cases are to be distinguished 

from other pathologies.

3. The disease has met the definition of an Emerging Disease.

PUBLIC INPUT ON THE LIST OF DISEASES

Input into the list is welcome. If you want to ask for a change or addition to the list, you may either contact us 

directly or contact your State animal health official who will then bring your written comments to us. 

Provide your input in a written proposal stating the reason for the suggested change or addition. Include in your 

proposal the following information:

• To ask for an addition to the list, include in your written proposal with scientific evidence that:

o The disease agent or condition causes significant production losses, sickness, death, or has a

significant impact to public health. 

o The information collected on the disease will help control, eradicate, manage, or develop

baseline information related to the disease.

• To ask for a removal from the list, include in your written proposal with scientific evidence that:

o The disease agent or condition does not cause significant production losses, sickness, death, or 

does not have a significant impact to animals or public health. 

o The information collected on the disease does not help control, eradicate, manage, or develop

baseline information related to the disease.

• To ask to move a disease from monitored to notifiable, or notifiable to monitored, include in your written 

proposal your reasons for this change. 

Send your written proposal to:

Attn: NLRAD Office

APHIS VS CEAH

2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. B

Fort Collins, CO 80526

OR

 2 Livestock is defined as all farm-raised animals. This includes bees, farmed aquaculture, and animals maintained 

in captivity on a farm.
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E-mail NLRAD.NAHRS@usda.gov.

PART 4: ELECTRONIC METHODS TO REPORT

NOTIFIABLE DISEASES

First, personally contact both your State animal health official and APHIS when you suspect or confirm a notifiable 

disease. 

• Your State animal health official (see http://www.usaha.org/Members or NLRAD website for contact 

information) and

• APHIS (NLRAD website)

Individual animal disease control or eradication programs may have data systems to collect additional information 

for disease investigation and response. We, or your State animal health official, will notify you if you need to use 

one of these data systems. The APHIS data systems used for notifiable diseases include Surveillance Collaborations 

Services (SCS), Veterinary Services Laboratory Submissions (VSLS), Emergency Management and Response System 

(EMRS) 2.0, Laboratory Messaging Services (LMS), Data Integration Services (DIS), and any subsequent applications 

that replace or augment these. States may use additional data sytems not listed here. 

MONITORED DISEASES

• State animal health official: Report the information to APHIS monthly though National Animal Health 

Reporting System (NAHRS) or any subsequent application that replaces or augments this system. The 

NAHRS access is available through the NLRAD website. The NLRAD website has more information 

available to help you report monitored diseases. 

• Laboratories: Use a reporting method agreed upon between you and the State. 

More information about our current and planned data systems is available on the NLRAD website NLRAD website. 
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APPENDIX A: U.S. NATIONAL LIST OF REPORTABLE ANIMAL DISEASES

Notifiable disease – A disease or condition that requires immediate notification to Federal and State veterinary 

authorities. In addition to the listed notifiable diseases, these animal disease conditions are notifiable and must 

be immediately reported:

1. Suspicion or detection of any animal disease or infection not known to exist in the United States

2. Exotic vectors (flies and fly larvae, mites, and ticks)

3. Emerging disease: A disease, infection, or infestation in domestic or wild animals that is a threat to 

terrestrial animals, aquatic animals, or humans, and meets one of the following criteria:

d. An unknown agent that is causing disease in a herd/flock/premise and has the potential to 

result in a significant animal or public health impact, and applied diagnostic tests have 

yielded negative or non- definitive results; OR

e. A newly identified agent that is causing disease in a herd/flock/premise and has the 

potential to cause significant animal or public health impact, or is occurring in multiple 

herds/flocks/premises; OR 

f. A previously identified or known pathogenic agent that has a change in epidemiology, such 

as:

i. Unexpected production impacts or morbidity/mortality over a previously defined 

range for the agent

ii. Expanded host range 

iii. Change in geography of an agent with the potential to cause a significant animal or 

public health impact 

Monitored disease – A disease or condition where occurrence is routinely tracked by APHIS and data are used to 

monitor changes in a given population and its environment, or to report on disease occurrence. 

PROPOSED NATIONAL LIST OF REPORTABLE ANIMAL DISEASES (NLRAD) – 2020

* = Select agents that laboratories must also report to the Federal Select Agent Program when identified due to 

their severe threat to public or animal health.

Notifiable Multiple-Species Diseases Monitored Multiple-Species Diseases 

• Akabane 

• Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)*

• Bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium 

bovis)

• Bluetongue (serotype 8)

• Brucellosis (Brucella abortus)*

• Brucellosis (Brucella melitensis)*

• Brucellosis (Brucella suis)*

• Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever*

• Epizootic hemorrhagic disease 

• Equine encephalomyelitis (Eastern)*

• Equine encephalomyelitis (Western) 

• Bluetongue (serotypes other than 8) 

• Echinococcosis/hydatidosis 

(Echinococcosis granulosis, E. 

multilocularis)

• Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease) 

(Mycobacterium avium 

paratuberculosis)

• Q fever (Coxiella burnetii)*

• Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)*
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• Equine encephalomyelitis 

(Venezuelan)*

• Foot-and-mouth disease*

• Glanders (Burkholderia mallei)*

• Heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium)

• Japanese encephalitis 

• Melioidosis (Burkholderia 

pseudomallei)*

• New World screwworm (Cochliomyia 

hominivorax)

• Old World screwworm (Chrysomya 

bezziana)

• Pseudorabies (Aujesky’s disease)

• Rabies 

• Rift Valley fever*

• Rinderpest*

• Surra (Trypanosoma evansi) 

• Trichinellosis (Trichinella spp.)

• Vesicular stomatitis 

• West Nile virus 

Notifiable Avian Diseases Monitored Avian Diseases 

• Duck viral hepatitis (duck hepatitis A 

virus) (domestic poultry)

• Fowl typhoid (Salmonella entirica –

Gallinarum)

• Highly pathogenic avian influenza*

(reporting of occurrence in all birds)

• Low pathogenic avian influenza (H5 or 

H7 subtypes) (poultry only)

• Pullorum disease (Salmonella 

enterica- Pullorum)

• Turkey rhinotracheitis (avian 

metapneumovirus) (domestic poultry

only)

• Virulent Newcastle disease (domestic 

poultry only)*

• Avian chlamydiosis (psittacosis and 

ornithosis, Chlamydophila psittaci)

• Avian infectious bronchitis

• Avian infectious laryngotracheitis

• Avian mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma 

gallisepticum)

• Avian mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma 

synoviae)

• Infectious bursal disease (gumboro 

disease)
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Notifiable Bee Diseases Monitored Bee Diseases 

• None at this time • Acarapisosis of honey bees 

(infestation with Acarapis woodi)

• American foulbrood of honey bees 

(infection with Paenibacillus larvae)

• European foulbrood of honey bees 

(infection with Melissococcus 

plutonius)

• Small hive beetle infestation (Aethina 

tumida)

• Tropilaelaps infestation of honey bees 

(infestation with Tropilaelaps spp.)

• Varroosis of honey bees (infestation 

with Varroa spp.)

Notifiable Bovine Diseases Monitored Bovine Diseases

• Babesiosis (Babesia bovis, 

B.bigemina)

• Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

• Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia 

(Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides)

• Hemorrhagic septicemia (Pasteurella 

multocida, serotypes B/Asian or 

E/African)

• Lumpy skin disease*

• Theileriosis (Theileria annulata, T.

parva)

• Trichomoniasis (Tritrichomonas 

foetus)

• Trypanosomosis (tsetsetransmitted)(Trypanosoma 

congolense, T.vivax, T.brucei brucei)

• Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma marginale, 

A. centrale)

• Bovine genital campylobacteriosis 

(Campylobacter fetus venerealis)

• Bovine viral diarrhea

• Enzootic bovine leukosis 

• Infectious bovine 

rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular 

vulvovaginitis 

• Malignant catarrhal fever (ovine 

herpesvirus 2, alcelaphine 

herpesvirus 1)

Notifiable Caprine and Ovine Diseases Monitored Caprine and Ovine Diseases

• Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia 

(Mycoplasma capricolum 

capripneumoniae)

• Caprine arthritis and encephalitis 

• Contagious agalactia (Mycoplasma 

agalactiae, M. Capricolum 
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• Mange (Sarcoptes scabiei var ovis, 

Chorioptes bovis, Psoroptes ovis, 

Psoroptes cuniculi, Psoregates ovis)

• Nairobi sheep disease

• Peste des petits ruminants*

• Scrapie

• Sheeppox and goatpox*

capricolum, M. putrefaciens, M.

mycoides capri

• Enzootic abortion of ewes (Chlamydia

abortus)

• Maedi-visna/ovine progressive 

pneumonia

• Ovine epididymitis (Brucella ovis)

• Salmonellosis (Salmonella abortus

ovis)

Notifiable Equine Diseases Monitored Equine Diseases

• African horse sickness*

• Contagious equine metritis (Taylorella 

equigenitalis)

• Dourine (Trypanosoma equiperdum)

• Equine infectious anemia

• Equine piroplasmosis (Theileria equi, 

Babesia caballi)

• Equine rhinopneumonitis/ equine 

herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy 

(EHV1-EHM)

• Hendra virus*

• Equine influenza (virus type A)

• Equine rhinopneumonitis EHV-1 (non 

EHM)

• Equine viral arteritis 

• Pigeon fever (Corynebacterium 

pseudotuberculosis, ulcerative 

lymphangitis)

• Strangles (Streptococcus equi equi)

Notifiable Farmed Cervid Diseases Monitored Farmed Cervid Diseases

• Chronic wasting disease • None at this time

Notifiable Lagomorph (Rabbits & Hares) 

Diseases

Monitored Lagomorph (Rabbits & Hares) 

Diseases 

• Myxomatosis

• Rabbit hemorrhagic disease

• None at this time

Notifiable Porcine Diseases and Infections Monitored Porcine Diseases and Infections
March 2020 NLRAD System Standards - Proposed

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• African swine fever*

• Classical swine fever*

• Nipah virus*

• Swine vesicular disease*

• Vesicular exanthema

• Cysticercosis (Taenia solium, T. 

saginata)

• Porcine reproductive and respiratory 

syndrome

• Transmissible gastroenteritis

Notifiable ‘Other’ Diseases Monitored ‘Other’ Diseases and Infections

• Camelpox

• Leishmaniasis (Leishmania spp.)

• None at this time

AQUATIC

Notifiable Amphibian Diseases Monitored Amphibian Diseases 

• Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

• Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans

• Ranavirus (Ranavirus species)

• None at this time

Notifiable Crustacean Diseases Monitored Crustacean Diseases 

• Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis 

disease (Vibrio parahemolyticus pVA1 plasmid)

• Crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci)

• Infectious hypodermal and 

hematopoietic necrosis 

• Infectious myonecrosis

• Necrotizing hepatopancreatitis 

(Candidatus Hepatobacter 

penaei)(early mortality syndrome)

• Taura syndrome

• White spot disease (white spot 

syndrome virus)

• White tail disease (Macrobrachium 

rosenbergii nodavirus)

• Yellowhead (Infection with 

yellowhead virus genotype 1)

• None at this time
March 2020 NLRAD System Standards - Proposed

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Notifiable Fish Diseases Monitored Fish Diseases 

• Epizootic hematopoietic necrosis 

• Epizootic ulcerative syndrome 

(Aphanomyces invadans)

• Gyrodactylosis (Gyrodactylus salaris)

• Infectious hematopoietic necrosis

• Infectious salmon anemia (HPR0)

• Infectious salmon anemia (HPRdeleted)

• Salmonid alphavirus

• Red sea bream iridoviral disease

• Spring viremia of carp 

• Tilapia lake virus

• Viral hemorrhagic septicemia 

• Koi herpesvirus disease

Notifiable Mollusc Diseases Monitored Mollusc Diseases 

• Abalone herpesvirus 

• Bonamia exitiosa

• Bonamia ostreae

• Marteilia refringens

• Perkinsus olseni

• Xenohaliotis californiensis

• Perkinsus marinus
March 2020 NLRAD System Standards - Proposed

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APPENDIX B: LABORATORY CASE CLASSIFICATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All laboratories in the United States testing for the listed diseases, including the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), those that are publically 

funded, private, or universities, must follow the NLRAD regulation. Select agents must also be reported to the Federal Select Agent Program when identified 

due to their severe threat to public or animal health. There may be additional State and Federal rules and regulations that are not listed here.

We recognize that while the NLRAD focuses on the diseases in the two NLRAD categories - notifiable and monitored. Laboratories further classify the agents 

into known and unknown agents until they can be identified by a diagnostic test.

Laboratories play a key role in reporting both monitored and notifiable diseases. Shown here are tables that outline the laboratory reporting specifics for 

monitored, notifiable, and emerging diseases for each case classification. This includes the trigger at the laboratory for reporting results, timeframe, and 

reporting mechanism.

TABLE A1: MONITORED DISEASE REPORTING GUIDANCE FOR LABORATORIES

CASE CLASSIFICATION TRIGGER at LAB/RESULTS LAB REPORTS TO 

WHOM

MECHANISMS FOR 

REPORTING

TIMELINE FOR 

REPORTING

ACTION

Monitored 

Disease: Suspect 

Clinical signs and meets case 

definition for monitored 

disease or submissions request 

for testing for monitored 

disease.

N/A N/A N/A Lab Continue testing

Monitored 

Disease:

Presumptive

Receive preliminary diagnostic 

results;

Meets case definition for 

monitored disease at 

presumptive level.

Submitter Email or lab report.

Recognize and use 

normal processes.

Per lab’s reporting 

policy to submitter 

(routine).

Lab  +/-Confirmatory 

Testing depending on 

protocol for that disease

Veterinarian Treatment
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CASE CLASSIFICATION TRIGGER at LAB/RESULTS LAB REPORTS TO 

WHOM

MECHANISMS FOR 

REPORTING

TIMELINE FOR 

REPORTING

ACTION

State animal health 

official of State 

where animal is 

located.

Recognize and use 

normal processes. 

Reporting monitored 

diseases at presumptive 

level dependent on 

State requirements if 

more stringent than 

NLRAD (not a NLRAD 

requirement).

State animal health official 

evaluates (using professional 

judgment) if: presumptive lab 

diagnosis and other 

information meets case 

definition; reports to NAHRS 

on occurrence of disease.

+/- Industry 

Associations

Industry  Awareness, 

planning

Monitored 

Disease: 

Confirmed 

Confirmed presence of 

monitored disease;

Meets case definition for 

monitored disease at 

confirmed level.

Submitter Email or lab report. 

Recognize and use 

normal processes.

Per lab’s reporting 

policy to submitter 

(routine).

NAHRS reporting 

requirement is 

MONTHLY

Veterinarian  Treatmentsame or alternative specific 

treatment

State animal health 

official where animal 

is located.

Recognize and use 

normal processes. 

As appropriate for State State animal health official 

+/- State response (may be in 

association with Federal 

response depending on 

disease and severity)

- Mandatory NAHRS 

Reporting on occurrence 

+/- Industry 

associations

As appropriate for 

State/industry

As appropriate for 

industry

Industry  Awareness, 

planning
March 2020 NLRAD System Standards - Proposed

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TABLE A2: NOTIFIABLE DISEASE REPORTING GUIDANCE FOR LABORATORIES

CASE CLASSIFICATION TRIGGER at LAB/RESULTS LAB REPORTS TO 

WHOM

MECHANISMS FOR 

REPORTING

TIMELINE FOR 

REPORTING

ACTION

Notifiable Disease:

Suspect - FAD

Clinical signs and history raise 

suspicion of FAD.

Meets case definition for 

suspect FAD.

State and Federal 

animal health 

officials

Laboratory submission 

with history; encourage 

a phone call with 

laboratory.

Phone call followed up 

by email or email; 

Recognize and use 

normal communication 

and reporting protocols.

Immediately; as soon as 

a FAD is suspected 

Lab Initiates diagnostic 

testing at NVSL and/or 

National Animal Health 

Laboratory Network 

(NAHLN) lab

State/Federal officials 

Foreign animal 

disease/emerging disease

investigation per APHIS 

Guidance 12001

Notifiable Disease:

Suspect

- Regulatory

diseases and high 

priority endemic 

diseases

Testing requested for 

regulatory disease based on 

combination of clinical signs 

and history that raises 

suspicion of regulatory 

disease or as part of 

regulatory program.

State and Federal 

animal health 

officials

Phone call followed up 

by email or email; 

Recognize and use 

normal communication 

and reporting protocols.

Follow regulatory 

program guidance and 

State regulations

State and Federal Officials 

Awareness

Action will follow State and 

Federal guidance

Action as a general rule is 

usually not at the suspect 

level; however, for some 

diseases preliminary actions 

may occur.

Submitter Lab report and/or phone 

call followed up by 

written lab report

Per lab’s reporting 

policy

Submitter  Awareness of

next step by State or Federal 

officials

+/- Industry 

associations

As appropriate for 

State/industry

As appropriate for 

State/industry

Industry  Awareness
March 2020 NLRAD System Standards - Proposed

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CASE CLASSIFICATION TRIGGER at LAB/RESULTS LAB REPORTS TO 

WHOM

MECHANISMS FOR 

REPORTING

TIMELINE FOR 

REPORTING

ACTION

Notifiable Disease: 

Presumptive

- FAD

Receive preliminary 

diagnostic results

State and Federal 

Animal Health 

Officials

Phone call; recognize 

and use normal 

communication 

channels.

Immediately Lab Completes diagnostic 

testing at NAHLN or NVSL

State/Federal officials 

Foreign animal 

disease/emerging disease

investigation per APHIS 

Guidance 12001

Report to State animal 

health officials if not already 

done so

Notifiable Disease:

Presumptive

- Regulatory

diseases and high 

priority endemic 

diseases

Receive preliminary 

diagnostic results

State and Federal 

Animal Health 

Officials

Phone call followed up 

by email or email; 

Recognize and use 

normal communication 

and reporting protocols.

Per lab’s reporting 

policy

For regulatory diseases: 

Federal reporting 

expectations are 

expedient reporting (24-

72 hr.); reporting may 

be defined in disease 

case definition or 

Federal regulations;

For high priority 

endemic diseases: 

Reporting expectations 

at presumptive level 

based on State guidance

For regulatory diseases: 

State and Federal Regulatory 

Program Guidance

For high priority endemic 

diseases: Primarily State 

response. State animal 

health official will evaluate 

all information in 

determining if presumptive 

diagnosis requires action. 

There may be preliminary 

actions but full response 

may wait until disease 

confirmation.
March 2020 NLRAD System Standards - Proposed

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CASE CLASSIFICATION TRIGGER at LAB/RESULTS LAB REPORTS TO 

WHOM

MECHANISMS FOR 

REPORTING

TIMELINE FOR 

REPORTING

ACTION

Notifiable Disease:

Confirmed 

- FAD

Confirmation based on case 

definition.

State and Federal 

Officials

Phone call Immediately State/Federal officials 

Foreign animal 

disease/emerging disease

investigation per APHIS 

Guidance 12001

and FAD response plans

Submitter/ 

Veterinarian

Lab report and/or phone 

call followed by written 

lab report;

Per lab’s reporting 

policy

State and program guidance

Notifiable Disease:

Confirmed 

- Regulatory 

diseases and high 

priority endemic 

diseases

Confirmed presence of 

disease based on case 

definitions.

State and Federal 

Officials

Phone call followed up 

by email or email; 

Recognize existing 

communication and 

reporting protocols in 

many States.

APHIS designated IT 

system.

For regulatory diseases: 

State guidance;

Federal reporting 

expectations are 

expedient reporting (24-

72 hr.); reporting may 

be defined in disease 

case definition;

For high priority 

endemic diseases: State 

guidance

For regulatory diseases: 

State and Federal Regulatory 

Program Guidance 

For high priority endemic 

diseases: Primarily State 

response; 

and +/- Federal assistance

State officials report into 

NAHRS data system

Industry As appropriate for 

State/industry Industry Awareness
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TABLE A3: EMERGING DISEASE REPORTING GUIDANCE FOR LABORATORIES

CASE CLASSIFICATION TRIGGER at LAB/RESULTS LAB REPORTS TO 

WHOM

MECHANISMS FOR 

REPORTING

TIMELINE FOR 

REPORTING

ACTION

Emerging Disease:

Suspect

Clinical signs and meets case 

definition for emerging 

disease, +/- submissions from 

multiple sources/farms; 

applied diagnostic tests 

yielded negative or nondefinitive results.

State and Federal 

Officials

Phone call followed up 

by email with 

confirmation of receipt;

Recognize existing 

communication and 

reporting protocols in 

many States.

As soon as an emerging 

disease is suspected 

based on case definition 

criteria. This timeline 

will be dependent upon 

the evolution of the 

disease, but will be 

reliant upon the 

professional judgment 

and expertise of the 

laboratorian. 

Lab  Continue testing

State and Federal Officials 

 Awareness; foreign 

animal disease/emerging 

disease investigation per 

APHIS Guidance 12001

and FAD response plans

Submitter Lab report and/or 

phone call followed up 

by written report for 

notification of next 

steps with State/Federal 

officials.

Per lab’s policy Awareness of next step by 

State or Federal Officials 

+/- Industry 

associations

As appropriate for 

State/industry

As appropriate for 

State/industry

Industry  Awareness

Emerging Disease: 

Presumptive

Receive preliminary 

diagnostic results identifying 

a new or known agent 

meeting the case definition 

for emerging animal disease.

State Officials Phone call followed up 

by email with 

confirmation of receipt; 

Recognize existing 

communication and 

reporting protocols in 

many States.

Immediately, no later 

than same day.

Lab  Confirmatory Testing
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CASE CLASSIFICATION TRIGGER at LAB/RESULTS LAB REPORTS TO 

WHOM

MECHANISMS FOR 

REPORTING

TIMELINE FOR 

REPORTING

ACTION

Federal Officials APHIS designated IT 

system

State/Fed  Awareness, 

planning, foreign animal 

disease/emerging disease

investigation per APHIS 

Guidance 12001

and FAD response plans

NVSL Phone call followed up 

with email with 

confirmation of receipt

NVSL  +/-Confirmatory 

Testing, consultation, and 

support

Submitter Lab report and/or 

phone call followed up 

by written report

Veterinarian Treatment

+/- Industry 

associations

As appropriate for 

State/industry

Industry  Awareness, 

planning

Emerging Disease: 

Confirmed 

Confirmed presence of a 

newly identified or known 

agent via sequencing, VI or 

other technologies 

State Officials Phone call followed up 

by email with 

conformation of receipt; 

recognize existing 

communication and 

reporting protocols in 

many States.

State, Federal Officials and 

Industry associations See 

Emerging Disease 

Preparedness and Response 

Plan

Federal Officials Official conference call 

with lab, State and 

Federal animal health 

officials.

Immediately, no later 

than same day. 

Fed  +/- OIE reporting 
March 2020 NLRAD System Standards - Proposed

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Submitter Lab report and/or 

phone call followed up 

by written report

Veterinarian 

Treatment – same or 

alternative specific 

treatment

Industry 

associations

As appropriate for 

State/industry

Industry  See response 

options