One of the vital components to the work of the Animal Health Division is to prepare for, control, and mitigate livestock disease outbreaks.
The State Veterinarian's Office works to be prepared to respond to foreign animal disease emergencies. Animal owners, producers, and business operators can protect their animals by creating emergency plans, following biosecurity protocols, and participating in Colorado's Secure Food Supply (SFS) Plan.
Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) Response Plans
The State of Colorado’s Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) Response Plans are currently being updated by the State Veterinarian’s Office.
Please contact the Agriculture Emergency Coordinator for additional information or refer to the US Department of Agriculture Disease Response Plans - The Red Books.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Since March 2022, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has led a response to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
You can learn more about Colorado's response to HPAI here.
Foot & Mouth Disease
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe and highly contagious viral disease. The FMD virus causes illness in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and other animals with divided hooves. It does not affect horses, dogs, or cats.
FMD is not a public health or food safety threat. It is also not related to hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is a common childhood illness caused by a different virus.
More about FMD from the US Department of Agriculture.
Classical Swine Fever
More info coming soon
African Swine Fever
More info coming soon