Ohio is home to one of the largest and most diverse agricultural economies in the Midwest, and protecting that industry starts with a single critical action: reporting a sick animal before a disease spreads. Whether you raise cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry, or any other livestock species, state and federal law requires you to act fast when a dangerous disease appears on your property.
Understanding livestock disease reporting in Ohio means knowing which diseases trigger a mandatory report, who is legally obligated to make that call, and what the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) does once you do. This guide walks you through every step of that process so you can stay compliant, protect your herd, and avoid serious penalties.
Reportable Livestock Diseases in Ohio
Ohio’s livestock disease reporting framework operates on two levels: state-regulated diseases governed by Ohio law and federally designated diseases that must be reported to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Both layers apply to Ohio producers and veterinarians simultaneously.
At the state level, Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 901:1-21 governs dangerously contagious, infectious, and reportable diseases in animals. The Ohio Revised Code Chapter 941 defines the broader framework for animal disease control, including the authority of the ODA’s Division of Animal Health to respond to outbreaks. Under ORC § 941.01, a “disease of concern” is defined as any disease — including any foreign animal disease — that the director determines may have an adverse impact on the animal or poultry industry or to public health in Ohio…