Animal Diseases of Concern

The Maryland Department of Agriculture will use this page to provide information about animal health issues and diseases. It is a work in progress. Information about many animal health issues can be found at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's website.

You are the best protection for your animals. All poultry growers and owners of livestock, birds and other animals are encouraged to look for signs of illness in their animals, report sick animals, and practice biosecurity. Biosecurity means doing everything possible to protect animal health by preventing the transmission of disease. Taking common sense precautions to prevent disease from coming onto a farm is the cornerstone of keeping livestock and poultry healthy.

It is important to look for and report signs of illness immediately. Don’t wait. Call your private veterinarian, your local Maryland Cooperative Extension agent, the Maryland Department of Agriculture/State Veterinarian, the USDA Veterinary Services office (866-536-7593) or the USDA Area Veterinarian in Charge (410-349-9708).

Below you will find information about emerging animal health issues as they happen, both in Maryland and across the country.

  • 5/23/11 - Equine Herpesviral Myeloencephalopathy (EHM, aka neurologic EHV-1, equine neuroherpes), has been traced to horses that attended the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Western National Championships in Odgen, UT. Click here to read the full notification.

  • 4/4/06 Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS) Confirmed in Florida (Animal Health Emergency Management and Information Network)
    More information about MRLS can be found at the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Science.