Disease Reporting
- The health department depends on the report certain disease conditions and all suspected outbreaks from its health care partners.
- Physicians, hospitals, laboratory, and other organizations are required by law to send reports to the health department when they suspect or diagnose a reportable disease condition.
- Portions of the Code of Virginia, VDH reportable disease list, and VDH reporting form.
- More information on disease reporting can be found on VDH’s disease regulation website.
- Epidemiologists and public health nurses work together to assess and investigate each disease report and suspected outbreak.
- The health department works collaboratively with a number of partners to accomplish its assessment, testing, infection control, and monitoring of these situations.
Assessing the situation
- Medical information is often collected to verify the situation, determine possible causes, and make preliminary recommendations.
- A case definition or standard set of criteria is determined in order to evaluate cases under investigation.
- Clusters of illness are assessed to determine if an outbreak is occurring.
- Line lists are used to identify persons with similar symptoms, dates of onset, transmission within the facility, etc.
- We identify and track new cases, individuals who have been exposed, and those at risk for severe illness.
Identifying the cause
- Lab testing may be performed to identify the causative organism.
- The state lab works closely with the local health departments to assist with specimen testing.
- There are factors that may influence whether or not testing is recommended
- Is there a public health surveillance need?
- Has there been recent testing of situations with similar illness?
- Are affected persons available or willing to submit specimens?
- Will lab results change treatment or infection control recommendations?
- Testing for outbreaks must be coordinated through the local health department.
Providing recommendations
- Recommendations will be made based on the suspected or identified organism.
- Information will be shared regarding signs/symptoms, contagious period, treatment for cases, prophylaxis for contacts, reporting procedures, testing requirements, and other public health actions.
Monitoring the situation
- Follow up will be done to see if additional cases have occurred.
- The health department will assess infection prevention and control measures and determine if changes are needed.
- Gaps in receiving, developing, and disseminating information will be identified and addressed until the situation is resolved.
Additional Resources
Healthcare Resources
- VDH Resources for Health Care Professionals
- CDC Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance Manual
- CDC HAI Prevention Toolkits
Fit Testing
Infection Prevention
Specimen Collection
School Health Resources