11.1 Authority

1. A. These rules and regulations are promulgated pursuant to authority provided under R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-4-3 and Chapters 42-17.1 and 42-35 for the purpose of establishing a list of animal diseases that are considered injurious to the public and animals within the state.

11.2 Purpose

1. A. The purpose of these rules and regulations is to create a list of reportable animal diseases and a codified procedure for reporting of these diseases. This list contains all diseases that are federally reportable as well as diseases that are of concern to the Department. This list includes diseases that are notifiable to the OIE World Organization for Animal Health, as well as diseases that appear on the federal select agent list for bioterrorism. The report of any of the diseases on this list does not obligate the Department of Environmental Management to take any specific action.

11.3 Applicability

1. A. These Regulations shall apply to any owner, guardian, veterinarian, or other person who knows or suspects an animal that is or was in the State of Rhode Island to be infected with a reportable disease or affected by a reportable condition.

11.4 Definitions

1. A. As used in these rules and regulations, the following terms shall, where the context permits, be construed as follows:

   1. 1. "Director" means the Director of the Department of Environmental Management or his/her duly authorized designee.

   2. 2. "Domestic animal" means animals which, through extremely long association with humans, have been bred to a degree which has resulted in genetic changes affecting the temperament, color, conformation or other attributes of the species to the extent that makes them unique and distinguishable from wild individuals of their species. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

      1. a. “Domestic dog” (Canis familiaris) excluding hybrids with wild canids
      2. b. “Domestic cat” (Felis catus) excluding hybrids with wild felines
      3. c. “Domestic equines” (Equus caballus, Equus asinus) including hybrids thereof
      4. d. “Domestic cattle” (Bos taurus and Bos indicus)
      5. e. “Domestic swine” (Sus scrofa domestica)
      6. f. “Domestic sheep” (Ovis aries)
      7. g. “Domestic goat” (Capra hircus)
      8. h. “Llama” (Lama glama)
      9. i. “Alpaca” (Lama pacos)
      10. j. “Old world camels” (Camelus dromedaries and Camelus bactianus)
      11. k. “Domestic water buffalo” (Bubalis bubalis)
      12. l. “Domestic yak” (Bos grunniens)
      13. m. “Domestic hamster” derived from Mesocricetus auratus and Phodopus sp.
      14. n. “Mongolian gerbil” (Meriones unguiculatus)
      15. o. “Laboratory rat”, including breeds, varieties, and strains derived from the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
      16. p. “Laboratory mouse”, including breeds, varieties, and strains derived from the house mouse (Mus musculus)
      17. q. “Guinea pig” (Cavia porcellus)
      18. r. “Domestic rabbit”, including breeds, varieties, and strains derived from the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) but not including the European rabbit (Ferae naturae) and not including the so-called "San Juan" rabbit.
      19. s. “Domestic geese” derived from the greylag goose (Anser anser), including, but not restricted to, Emden goose, Gray African goose, Pilgrim goose, Sebastopol goose, and Toulouse goose, derived from the swan goose (Anser cygnoides), including, but not restricted to, the African goose and the Chinese goose, derived from the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca).
      20. t. “Domestic ducks” derived from the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), including, but not restricted to, Aylesbury duck, Blue Swedish duck, Buff duck, Cayuga duck, Crested White duck, English call duck, Indian runner duck, Pekin duck, and Roen duck, derived from the Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata).
      21. u. “Common coturnix” (Coturnix or C. japonica).
      22. v. “Domestic chicken” (Gallus "domesticus") derived from the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus).
      23. w. “Peafowl” (blue peafowl) (Pavo cristatus).
      24. x. “Domestic guineafowl” derived from the helmet guineafowl (Numida meleagris).
      25. y. “Domestic turkey” derived from the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and including breeds and varieties recognized by the American Poultry Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but not including the wild turkey (Ferae naturae) and captive or captive-bred individuals thereof and not including the pen-raised or game-farm non-standard variety "Wild Turkey".
      26. z. “Common pigeon” (rock dove) derived from the blue rock pigeon (Columba livia).
      27. aa. “Ratites” including but not limited to ostriches, emu, rheas, and kiwi.
   3. 3. "Environmental Police Officer" means any commissioned environmental police officer for the Department of Environmental Management, Division of Law Enforcement.
   4. 4. "Owner" means any person or agency keeping, harboring or having charge or control of or responsibility for control of an animal or any person or agency which permits any dog, cat, ferret, or domestic animal to habitually be fed within that person's yard or premises. This term shall not apply to veterinary facilities, any licensed boarding kennel, municipal pound, pet shop, or animal shelter. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-1.2.
   5. 5. "Person(s)" means an individual, firm, joint stock company, partnership, association, private or municipal corporation, trust, estate, state, commission, political subdivision, any interstate body, the federal government or any agency or subdivision of the federal government, other government entity, or other legal entity.
   6. 6. “Reportable condition” means an event such as high mortality or high morbidity in a number of animals whether or not any particular disease is confirmed or suspected. This includes, but is not limited to, non-infectious causes of mortality or morbidity such as toxicities or physical events such as electrocution.
   7. 7. “Reportable disease” means any animal disease that confirmed or suspected and is listed as reportable in these regulations.

11.5 Compulsory Reporting of Diseases and Conditions

1. A. Procedure for reporting diseases and conditions

   1. 1. Any person who knows or believes an animal is infected with any reportable disease, or is affected by a reportable condition, is required to report that disease or condition to the Rhode Island State Veterinarian.

   2. 2. Reports may be made by telephone or fax.

      1. a. Reports during regular business hours may be made by calling (401) 222-2781 (DEM Division of Agriculture).
      2. b. Reports outside of regular business hours may be made by calling (401) 222-3070 (DEM Division of Law Enforcement).
      3. c. Reports made by fax made by sending fax to (401) 222-6047.
   3. 3. All reports shall include, but not be limited to: the name, address, and telephone number of the person making the report, the name of the animals’ owner(s), the physical address of the animal(s), the animal owner's phone number, the total number of animals in the household/flock/herd, the number of animals affected, the number of animals that have died, the disease or condition that is being reported (for diseases a definitive diagnosis is not required) and date when the disease or condition was first noted. A link to a reportable disease form can be found at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/agriculture/.
   4. 4. All Type 1 Reportable Diseases and Conditions must be reported immediately upon detection, diagnosis, or suspicion.
   5. 5. All Type 2 Reportable Diseases and Conditions must be reported no later than the next regular business day after detection, diagnosis, or suspicion.

2. B. Reportable Disease List and Types

   1. 1. Bovine diseases Type 1:

      1. a. Akabane (congenital arthrogryposis-hydranencephalaly syndrome)
      2. b. Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma marginale, A. centrale)
      3. c. Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
      4. d. Aujesky's disease (Pseudorabies)
      5. e. Babesiosis (Babesia bovis, B.bigemina)
      6. f. Bluetongue
      7. g. Bovine brucellosis (B.abortus)
      8. h. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
      9. i. Bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis)
      10. j. Caprine and ovine brucellosis (B. melitensis)
      11. k. Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides)
      12. l. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic disease
      13. m. Echinococcosis / hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis)
      14. n. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD)
      15. o. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)
      16. p. Heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium)
      17. q. Hemorrhagic septicemia (Pasteurella multocida, serotypes B/Asian or E/African)
      18. r. Lumpy skin disease
      19. s. Malignant catarrhal fever (specify wildebeest or sheep form)
      20. t. Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)
      21. u. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax)
      22. v. Old World screwworm (Chrysomya bezziana)
      23. w. Porcine brucellosis (B.suis)
      24. x. Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii)
      25. y. Rabies
      26. z. Rift Valley fever
      27. aa. Rinderpest
      28. bb. Vesicular stomatitis (VS)

   2. 2. Bovine diseases Type 2:

      1. a. Beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata)
      2. b. Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter fetus venerealis)
      3. b. Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD)
      4. c. Enzootic bovine leukosis (BLV)
      5. d. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV)
      6. e. Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) - (Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis)
      7. f. Theileriasis (Theileria annulata, T. parva)
      8. g. Trichomoniasis (Tritrichomonas [Trichomonas] foetus)
      9. h. Trypanosomiasis (tsetse-transmitted(Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax, T. brucei brucei, T.evansi))

   3. 3. Caprine and Ovine diseases Type 1:

      1. a. Akabane (congenital arthrogryposis-hydranencephalaly syndrome)
      2. b. Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
      3. c. Aujesky's disease (Pseudorabies)
      4. d. Bluetongue
      5. e. Bovine brucellosis (B.abortus)
      6. f. Bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis)
      7. g. Caprine and ovine brucellosis (B. melitensis)
      8. h. Crimean Congo hemorrhagic disease
      9. i. Echinococcosis/hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis)
      10. j. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)
      11. k. Heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium)
      12. l. Maedi-visna/ovine progressive pneumonia
      13. m. Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)
      14. n. Nairobi sheep disease
      15. o. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax)
      16. p. Old World screwworm (Chrysomya bezziana)
      17. q. Peste des petits ruminants
      18. r. Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii)
      19. s. Rabies
      20. t. Rift Valley fever
      21. u. Rinderpest
      22. v. Scrapie
      23. w. Sheep pox and goat pox
      24. x. Theileriasis (Theileria annulata, T. parva)
      25. y. Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
      26. z. Vesicular stomatitis (VS)
      27. aa. West Nile fever

   4. 4. Caprine and Ovine diseases Type 2:

      1. a. Caprine arthritis/encephalitis (CAE)
      2. b. Contagious agalactia (Mycoplasma agalactiae, M. Capricolum capricolum, M. putrefaciens, M. mycoides mycoides, M. mycoides mycoides LC)
      3. c. Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (Mycoplasma capricolum capripneumoniae)
      4. d. Enzootic abortion of ewes (ovine chlamydiosis, Chlamydophila abortus)
      5. e. Mange (Sarcoptes scabiei var ovis, Chorioptes bovis, Psoroptes ovis, Psoroptes cuniculi, Psoregates ovis)
      6. f. Ovine epididymitis (Brucella ovis infection)
      7. g. Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease - Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis)
      8. h. Salmonellosis (Salmonella abortusovis)

   5. 5. Equine diseases Type 1:

      1. a. African horse sickness
      2. b. Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
      3. c. Contagious equine metritis (Taylorella equigenitalis)
      4. d. Dourine (Trypanosoma equiperadum)
      5. e. Echinococcosis / hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis)
      6. f. Equine encephalomyelitis (Eastern)
      7. g. Equine encephalomyelitis (Western)
      8. h. Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHV1 - EHM)
      9. i. Equine infectious anemia (EIA)
      10. j. Equine piroplasmosis (babesiosis, Babesia [Piroplasma] equi, B. caballi)
      11. k. Glanders (Burkholderia mallei)
      12. l. Hendra
      13. m. Japanese encephalitis
      14. n. Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)
      15. o. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax)
      16. p. Old World screwworm (Chrysomya bezziana)
      17. q. Rabies
      18. r. Surra (Trypanosoma evansi)
      19. u. Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
      20. v. Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis
      21. w. Vesicular stomatitis (VS)
      22. x. West Nile fever

   6. 6. Equine diseases Type 2

      1. a. Equine influenza
      2. b. Equine rhinopneumonitis (EHV- 1)
      3. c. Equine viral arteritis (EVA)
      4. d. Pigeon fever (Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, ulcerative lymphangitis)
      5. e. Strangles (Streptococcus equi equi)
      6. f. Trichinellosis (Trichinella spp.)

   7. 7. Porcine diseases Type 1:

      1. a. African swine fever
      2. b. Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
      3. c. Aujesky's disease (Pseudorabies)
      4. d. Classical swine fever (hog cholera)
      5. e. Echinococcosis / hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis)
      6. f. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)
      7. g. Japanese encephalitis
      8. h. Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)
      9. i. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax)
      10. j. Nipah virus encephalitis
      11. k. Old World screwworm (Chyrsomya bezziana)
      12. l. Porcine brucellosis (B. suis)
      13. m. Rabies
      14. n. Rinderpest
      15. o. Swine vesicular disease
      16. p. Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
      17. q. Vesicular stomatitis (VS)

   8. 8. Porcine diseases Type 2:

      1. a. Infection with Taenia solium (Porcine Cysticercosis)
      2. b. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)
      3. c. Swine Enteric Coronavirus Disease (SECD) (Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus –PEDV; Porcine delta coronavirus (PDCoV)
      4. d. Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE)
      5. e. Trichinellosis (Trichinella spp.)
      6. f. Vesicular exanthema

   9. 9. Avian diseases Type 1:

      1. a. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (reporting of occurrence in all birds)
      2. b. Low pathogenic avian influenza (H5 or H7 subtypes)(Poultry only)
      3. c. Virulent Newcastle disease (Domestic birds)

   10. 10. Avian diseases Type 2:

       1. a. Avian chlamydiosis (psittacosis and ornithosis, Chlamydia psittaci)
       2. b. Avian infectious bronchitis
       3. c. Avian infectious laryngotracheitis
       4. d. Avian Mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma gallisepticum)
       5. e. Avian Mycoplasmosis (Mycoplasma synoviae)
       6. f. Duck viral hepatitis (Domestic birds)
       7. g. Fowl typhoid (Salmonella gallinarum)
       8. h. Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease)
       9. i. Pullorum disease (Salmonella pullorum)
       10. j. Turkey rhinotracheitis (Domestic birds)

   11. 11. Dogs and Cats Type 1:

       1. a. Any disease listed in § 11.5(B) of this Part, under other species
       2. b. Leptospirosis (all serovars)
       3. c. Rabies

   12. 12. Dogs and Cats Type 2:

       1. a. Canine distemper if diagnosed within 4 weeks of the dog being housed in a kennel, pet shop, animal pound, animal shelter, animal rescue, foster home, broker, breeder, or transport.
       2. b. Canine influenza
       3. c. Canine parvovirus if diagnosed within two (2) weeks of the dog being housed in a kennel, pet shop, animal pound, animal shelter, animal rescue, foster home, broker, breeder, or transport.
       4. d. Chagas disease
       5. e. Giardia if diagnosed within two (2) weeks of the dog being housed in a kennel, pet shop, animal pound, animal shelter, animal rescue, foster home, broker, breeder, or transport.

   13. 13. Aquatic animal diseases. These diseases are considered Type 2:

       1. a. Diseases of fin fish:

          1. 1) Epizootic hematopoietic necrosis disease
          2. 2) Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) (Infection with Aphanomyces invadans)
          3. 3) Gyrodactylosis (Gyrodactylus salaris)
          4. 4) Infection with salmonid alphavirus
          5. 5) Infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN)
          6. 6) Infectious salmon anemia (ISA)(HPR0)
          7. 7) Infectious salmon anemia (ISA)(HPR-deleted)
          8. 8) Koi herpesvirus disease
          9. 9) Red sea bream iridoviral disease
          10. 10) Spring viremia of carp (SVC)
          11. 11) Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS)

       2. b. Diseases of molluscs:

          1. 1) Infection with abalone herpes virus
          2. 2) Infection with Bonamia exitiosa
          3. 3) Infection with Bonamia ostreae
          4. 4) Infection with Marteilia refringens
          5. 5) Infection with Perkinsus marinus
          6. 6) Infection with Perkinsus olseni
          7. 7) Infection with Xenohaliotis californiensis

       3. c. Diseases of crustaceans:

          1. 1) Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (V.parahemolyticus pVA-1 plasmid)
          2. 2) Crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci)
          3. 3) Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis
          4. 4) Infectious myonecrosis
          5. 5) Necrotising hepatopancreatitis (Candidatus Hepatobacter penaei)(NHP, early mortality syndrome)
          6. 6) Taura syndrome
          7. 7) White spot disease
          8. 8) White tail disease
          9. 9) Yellowhead (Infection with Yellowhead virus genotype 1)

   14. 14. Rabbit diseases. These diseases are considered Type 1:

       1. a. Myxomatosis
       2. b. Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)
       3. c. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease

   15. 15. Apiary diseases. These diseases are considered Type 2:

       1. a. Acarapisosis of honey bees (Infestation with Acarapis woodi)
       2. b. American foulbrood of honey bees (Infection with Paenibacillus larvae)
       3. c. European foulbrood of honey bees (Infection with Melissococcus plutonius)
       4. d. Small hive beetle infestation (Infestation with Aethina tumida)
       5. e. Tropilaelaps infestation of honey bees (Infestation with Tropilaelaps spp.)
       6. f. Varroosis of honey bees (Infestation with Varroa spp.)

   16. 16. Amphibian diseases. These diseases are considered Type 2:

       1. a. Infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
       2. b. Infection with ranavirus

   17. 17. Miscellaneous diseases and species. These diseases are considered Type 2:

       1. a. Camelpox
       2. b. Leishmaniosis
       3. c. Eastern Equine Encephalitis in any species.
       4. d. Tuberculosis in any captive wild animal.

3. C. Reportable conditions. All conditions are Type 1:

   1. 1. Any hooved animal with vesicular lesions.
   2. 2. Any flock or herd that has more than twenty (20) animals that is experiencing concurrent morbidity in greater than ten percent (10%) of the animals that make up that flock or herd.
   3. 3. Any flock or herd that has more than twenty (20) animals that is experiencing concurrent mortality in greater than ten percent (10%) of the animals that make up that flock or herd.
   4. 4. Any flock or herd that has more than twenty (20) animals that is experiencing a concurrent combination of morbidity and mortality in greater than ten percent (10%) of the animals that make up that flock or herd.
   5. 5. Any mammal that is exhibiting acute neurological signs. If rabies is a differential diagnosis the animal control officer with jurisdiction over the municipality where the diseased animal is kept must also be notified.

11.6 Violations

1. A. Any person, who fails to report any of the diseases or conditions listed in these regulations, in the manner required, may be subject to fines not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per offense. Each affected animal and each day that there is failure to report shall constitute a separate offense. Additionally, the Department may refer any violations against licensed or registered animal care or veterinary professionals to the appropriate board of licensing/registration for disciplinary action.

11.7 Enforcement

1. A. The Rhode Island State Veterinarian, or any Officer of DEM Environmental Police has the authority to enforce any of the provisions of these regulations.

11.8 Consistency

1. A. No provision of these regulations shall be construed to prevent enforcement of any other state, federal or local laws and regulations duly adopted for the purpose of protecting the public health.