Which of the following is a symptom that should be reported to the state veterinarian for suspected foreign animal disease?

• A. Mild, self-limiting illness
• B. Sporadic fever in a few animals
• C. High morbidity and mortality
• D. No signs observed

Answer: (C)

When thinking about suspected foreign animal disease, the key warning is an unusual and severe outbreak. High morbidity means a large portion of the animals in a group become sick, and high mortality means many die, occurring rapidly and in a pattern that isn’t typical for normal, locally common diseases. That combination signals something serious and potentially foreign, so it should be reported to the state veterinarian right away to prompt investigation and containment.

Mild, self-limiting illness, a few animals with fever, or no signs at all are not by themselves indicators of a foreign animal disease and don’t trigger the same urgent reporting. The emphasis here is on a rapid, widespread, and severe impact across a population.