What are "reportable diseases" when it comes to chickens?

Reportable diseases are chicken illnesses that are serious and communicable enough that in the U.S., you (and your vet) are required to report incidences to the National Animal Health Reporting System. Typically, these are illnesses that are very contagious, not only within your own flock, but may also travel from flock to flock in the air, or by wild birds and so on.

They are difficult to control, often fatal, and may leave survivors as carriers.



Below is an overview , a list of the reportable diseases in the US that affect chickens. You'll want a veterinarian's diagnosis to be sure of what your bird is ill with. Your veterinarian will also know what to do to report the illness. Click on the links to read more information about each one.

List of Reportable Chicken Diseases

• Avian Infectious Bronchitis. This is a reportable chicken illness with primarily respiratory symptoms.
• Avian Influenza. Some varieties of this illness are reportable, while others are not.
• Fowl Typhoid - This is an illness caused by Salmonella gallinarum, a type of salmonella infection. Not all salmonellas are reportable; gallinarum is especially virulent.
• Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). This is caused by a virus that infects the chickens' "bursa of fabricus," which is an organ in the chicken's vent/cloaca that is necessary for developing good immune function
• Infectious Laryngotracheitis. This is a reportable chicken illness with primarily respiratory symptoms.
• Mycoplasma gallisepticum. There are several types of mycoplasmas; m. Gallispeticum and m. Synoviae are both reportable at this time.
• Newcastle, exotic. This is a reportable chicken illness with primarily respiratory symptoms.
• Pullorm. This is an illness caused by Salmonella pullorum, a type of salmonella infection. Not all salmonellas are reportable; pullorum is especially virulent.
• Avian pneumovirus. This is a reportable chicken illness with primarily respiratory symptoms.
• Avian chlamydiosis. This is a reportable chicken illness with systemic symptoms, including both respiratory and digestive distress.