Report to Veterinary Public Health

Animal diseases

Infectious diseases in animals are legally reportable in Los Angeles County.

Animal disease reports are essential for identifying outbreaks, disease trends and new diseases. This information is used to educate veterinarians, physicians and others to help protect the health of animals and people.

Animal bites and rabies-related incidents

In California, anyone with knowledge of an animal bite to a person must report the incident to the local health department, including veterinarians and their staff.

The United States is considered canine rabies free, and wildlife is the most important potential source of rabies for both humans and domestic animals. In Southern California, bats are the main source of rabies.

The following must be reported to VPH immediately:

• Mammals, domestic or wild, that bite a human. Bites from rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, gophers, and other rodents are NOT reportable.
• Domestic mammals (pets or livestock) that have an encounter with wildlife
• Neurologic animals (wild or domestic) suspected of being rabid

• Rabid animals: animals suspected of having rabies (see steps for veterinarians below)
• Sick or dead birds (see testing for H5 bird flu below)
• Outbreaks: many animals becoming ill around the same time and place
• Animals and people sick with the same symptoms in the same location
• Animal diseases not native to the area, or unusual animal diseases
• Any disease on the Los Angeles County Animal Disease Priority List, 2024 (PDF)

1. Call or email. Call 213-288-7060 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) and ask to speak to the Veterinarian-On-Duty, or email vet@ph.lacounty.gov.
2. Send a report form. Download and complete a form from our reporting forms page, then email it to vet@ph.lacounty.gov or fax it to 213-481-2375.
3. Report online (members of the public only): Online Public Reporting Portal

Veterinarians who suspect an animal has rabies should:

1. Isolate the animal from other animals and people.
2. Call VPH at 213-288-7060 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) and ask to speak to a veterinarian, or email vet@ph.lacounty.gov.
3. Submit a report. Complete the Bite Report Form (PDF) and email it to vet@ph.lacounty.gov or fax it to 213-481-2375. If no person was bitten, leave the "Person Bitten" section blank or write N/A.
4. Prepare the specimen for rabies testing. Follow the step-by-step specimen preparation instructions (PDF).

For more on bite reporting and rabies control in LA County, see pages 8 to 29 of the 2022 Veterinary Public Health Manual (PDF).

Sick or recently dead waterfowl, shorebirds and medium or large birds are the best birds to test for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1).

1. Report the bird to your local animal control agency. They may be able to collect and hold it for testing.
2. Also notify Public Health: complete the sick or dead bird reporting form (PDF) and email it to vet@ph.lacounty.gov, or use the online reporting portal.
3. Let us know whether you were able to contact animal control.

Contact Veterinary Public Health:

• Phone: 213-288-7060 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
• Email: vet@ph.lacounty.gov
• Fax: 213-481-2375