Through the use of these standard reporting 

 procedures, sound statistical data become avail- 

 able in a form that can te rapidly processe 1 

 and readily subjected to detailed statistical 

 analysis. 



Benefits accrue directly to the livestock in- 

 dustry through the utilization of animal 

 disease reports by biological and pharmaceuti- 

 cal manufacturers in planning their production 

 programs. The knowledge of disease trends 

 and cycles thus provided, enables them to an- 

 ticipate needs and gear their production 

 schedules to specific disease requirements. As 

 a I'esult, reduced operating costs are reflected 

 in lower prices to livestock producers. In 

 addition, they guarantee the livestock industry 

 an adequate supply for probable needs. 



Modern clinical disease reporting techniques 

 have many other advantages. For example, 

 they are of material assistance in recognizing 

 possible modes of transmission among animal 

 species, both wild and domestic ; and they pro- 

 vide indirect evidence of the effectiveness of 

 animal disea.se control measures. 



Thus it can be seen that reporting systems, 

 in providing reliable and comprehen-sive in- 

 formation to .scientific projects, answer a long- 

 standing need in many related fields of effort. 



By providing sound animal disea.se statistics 

 on geographical and seasonal patterns, the 

 reports serve as an additional protective meas- 



ui'e to the entire livestock industry and to 

 human health. 



Coordination 



Deficiencies of standard reporting systems 

 can be overcome to some degree through the 

 contributions and close cooperation of veter- 

 inarians at diagnostic laboratories, stockyards, 

 and slaughtering establishments, and by 

 adequate epidemiological investigations and 

 proper surveys among the animal population. 



State and national coordinators are respon- 

 sible for final coordination and correlation of 

 the reporting efforts, and for final organization 

 to fit all into a harmonious whole. 



To avoid confusion and keep reports as 

 simple as possible, diseases must be reported 

 by their preferred names rather than syno- 

 nyms. To be of value, the data must include 

 the number of cases, number of herds and 

 flocks, and the counties involved. 



In order for the national office to properly 

 tabulate and consolidate the State's reports 

 into a national summary, the State reports 

 must conform to a general form type. There- 

 fore, planning, guidance, and direction from 

 the individuals responsible for all phases of 

 the reporting activities are essential for 

 necessary development and improvement. 



54 



