Veterinary Public Health and
Rabies Control Program
7601 E. Imperial Hwy.
Bldg. 700 Suite 94A
Downey, CA 90242
Tel: (562) 401-7088
Fax: (562) 401-7112
vet@ph.lacounty.gov

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Why Report Animal Diseases? Animal disease reports are essential for tracking diseases in our county.  Many animal diseases can also infect people.  Veterinary Public Health uses these reports to better understand where and when diseases are occurring locally.  This information is used to educate veterinarians and physicians to better protect the health of animals and people.

Why Report Animal Bites? California state law requires the reporting of animal bites. Rabies cases are detected every year in Los Angeles County, most commonly in bats.  Rabies is transmitted by bites.  After a bite is reported, this program works to determine if the biting animal might have been carrying rabies.  This helps determine if rabies treatment is needed for the bite victim.

Who Should Report?  Anyone may report an animal disease. Veterinarians, animal shelter workers, and veterinary technicians have the most knowledge about local animal diseases and they report most often. However, any member of the public may report. 

What to Report?
1. Rabid Animals - animals suspected of having rabies
2. Animal bites to people - all animals except except rodents, squirrels, and rabbits
3. Bat contact - any direct contact between a bat and a person or pet/livestock.
4. Wild mammal bites - any potential bite from a wild mammal to a person or pet/livestock
5. Dead birds and tree squirrels (for West Nile Virus testing)
6. Outbreak - Many animals becoming ill around the same time and place
7. Animals/Humans sick with same symptoms, same location
8. Animal diseases not native to area or unusual animal diseases
9. Any disease in this list:
           List of Reportable Animal Diseases, 2008

How to Report?  Choose one of three ways:

1. Call our office at 562-401-7088
                           
2. Download form (pdf), print out, complete, fax in.
   Follow the link below.
   Animal Disease and Bite Report Forms.
   
   
3. Online reporting general use reporting portals

You will be asked to fill out a form on a secure website. You will be prompted by your computer to accept a security alert when you access the form. Click Yes to proceed.

Online Public Reporting Portal |  Online Reporting Portal for Professionals

• Animal Influenza
• Cigarette Smoke Harms Pets
• Pet Food Recalls and Alerts
• Dog Bite Prevention Resources
• Human rabies vaccine shortage, CDC Update (as of 4/1/2009)
• Map of rabid bats 2009 (as of 6/17/09)
• Maps of local animal disease
• Map of Rabid Animals in California, 2007 (CA Dept of Public Health)

Animal Bite Prevention

Local Animal Control Agencies

Rabies Control Manual

Bat rabies map (2008)

Rabies Vaccinations

Zoonoses
(Animal diseases people may catch)

Bioterrorism/Animal Disease Reporting

Disaster Training for Veterinarians

Bite and Rabies Suspect Reporting
  Physicians
  Veterinarians
  Form Downloads

Veterinary Student Information
  Veterinary Externship