Reportable animal diseases

Depending on your role, you may be required to report certain diseases to the competent authorities if you believe an animal is infected.

Once notified, the government can take action to protect animal and public heath in the region.

You are required to report if you are:

• An animal owner or keeper
• A veterinarian
• A head of an animal health laboratory

For more information, including definitions, consult the Regulation to designate contagious or parasitic diseases, infectious agents and syndromes  and the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife  and its associated regulations.

Certain diseases must be reported to one or more ministries. Refer to the relevant list to learn who to contact.

Animal owners and keepers

Animal owners and keepers must report any signs that indicate the presence of a designated contagious or parasitic disease, infectious agent or syndrome.

Some diseases must be directly reported to the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs. Refer to the list of reportable diseases for animal owners and keepers (PDF 193 Kb).

Veterinarians

Veterinarians must immediately report any clinical signs that indicate the presence of a designated contagious or parasitic disease, infectious agent or syndrome. Refer to the list of reportable diseases for veterinarians (PDF 225 Kb).

Depending on the disease, veterinarians must immediately contact one or both of the following ministries:

Veterinarians can also fill out the online form to facilitate quick communication with the relevant parties.

Fill out the online form (French)

Heads of animal health laboratories must immediately report any lab results that indicate the presence of a designated contagious or parasitic disease, infectious agent or syndrome. Refer to the list of reportable diseases for heads of animal health laboratories (PDF 187 Kb).

Reports must include the following information:

• The name, address and telephone number of the laboratory where samples of animal tissues, products, secretions, excreta or dejecta or samples of an animal’s environment have been analysed
• The contagious or parasitic disease, the infectious agent or the syndrome that is being reported
• The date on which the laboratory received the sample and the date on which the sample was collected
• The analysis made and the result, including information regarding the serotypes or subtypes of the infectious agent
• The date on which the result of the analysis made is obtained
• The identification code the laboratory assigned to the sample
• The name, address and telephone number of the owner or custodian of the animal from which the sample was taken and the name, address and telephone number of the person who requested the analysis
• The species and the category of animal to which the sample refers
• Every identification of the animal, including an identification recognized under another identification system established by the Government of Canada or the government of another province or Canadian territory, or by the competent authority of the country of origin of the animal
• The address of the site where the sample was collected

Many diseases that must be reported to Québec authorities must also be reported to the federal government. Visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s page on Animal health  to learn more about which diseases should be reported to them.