Cases of many specific animal diseases must be reported to the proper authorities, as defined by State law (O.C.G.A. § 4-4-6). These are known as "Reportable Animal Diseases" (RADS). The timeframe for reporting varies based on the individual disease. Here is a full list of RADS and instructions about how and when to report them. Fact sheets for some of the major diseases are available on the main Animal Health & Diseases page.
Your Responsibilities
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, lab technicians, wildlife biologists, and animal owners must report if a clinical or laboratory diagnosis shows that a disease is present. You should also report based on a reasonable suspicion.
It’s a crime, punishable in a court of law, to willfully introduce one of these animal diseases or fail to notify officials of a disease once you’ve observed it.
Reporting helps to identify outbreaks and prevent human transmission in cases of zoonotic disease. All reports are confidential and not open to inspection by the public.
How to Report
Use the online RADS Reporting form. Here’s the information you’ll need to provide:
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Disease or condition (suspected or confirmed)
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Animal species, breed, age, sex
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How many animals are affected
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Clinical signs
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Known history
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Location of animal(s)
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Name, address and phone of owner
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Name, address and phone of person reporting
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Name, address and phone of the kennel, pet shop, aviary, shelter, stable, farm or sale barn where the animal(s) came from
You can also call the Office of the State Veterinarian or the USDA Area Veterinarian in Charge to report a disease or if you have any questions about whether a disease should be reported.