Health & Human services

Long Beach Public Health Veterinary Disease Reporting System (VDRS)

The Veterinary Disease Reporting System (VDRS) was officially launched on January 16, 2018, to begin moving towards a One Health model in Long Beach. The concept of One Health recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. The VDRS is the first official surveillance system for detecting outbreaks and unusual cases among animal populations in Long Beach, and a critical component to public health as many animal communicable diseases can be transmitted to humans.

Why report?

Veterinary communicable diseases play an important role in the community’s health, both due to the possibility for these diseases to transmit from animals to humans, and because companion animals play an important role in residents’ lives. We rely on veterinarians and the public to notify us when they encounter certain diseases or conditions in animals. Reporting this information via the Veterinary Disease Reporting System (VDRS) helps the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (the Health Department) detect animal disease outbreaks and protect the public from illness. Data from reporting is used to create reports to share with veterinarians and to establish a baseline prevalence of communicable diseases among animals in Long Beach – allowing the Health Department to monitor for any increases in prevalence that could prompt heightened disease control efforts.

What must be reported

The state of California requires veterinarians to report:

Animal bites to humans from:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Wildlife
• Ferrets
• Any mammal (except rodents or rabbits)

Animal bites to pets from wildlife

The following six animal diseases:

• Anthrax
• Brucellosis (except Brucella canis)
• Plague
• Rabies (confirmed and suspect cases)
• Tularemia
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

Additionally, veterinarians are encouraged to utilize the VDRS to report all other animal diseases and conditions listed on the Animal Reportable Diseases and Conditions list.

Resources

Animal Reportable Diseases and Conditions List (Updated 2/20/2025)	Veterinary Disease Reporting System (VDRS) Flyer (Updated 2/20/2025)

How to Report

Report animal bites to humans, animal bites to pets from wildlife, and reportable animal diseases online via the VDRS.

Additional Questions?

Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control
Veterinary Public Health
vph@longbeach.gov
(562) 570-4302

Veterinary Health Alerts