Communicable Disease Reporting Requirements

Public Health Law (Code) of the State of Michigan and the United States requires reporting of many diseases to protect the public against contagious, and possibly life threatening diseases.

Who Should Report?

• Health Care Professionals
  • Physicians
  • Dentists
  • Veterinarians
  • Registered Nurses
  • Emergency medical service personnel, law officers, fire fighters or Correctional Institutions
     
• Long Term/Temporary Care Facilities, such as:
  • Nursing Homes
  • Adult Foster Care
  • Home Health Agencies
  • Respite Care or Hospice Centers
     
• School/Daycare Authorities
  • Principals
  • Superintendents or designees
  • Other chief administrative officers (from private institutions)
  • Daycare/child-care facility administrators
     
• Laboratories, i.e.
  • Hospitals
  • Clinic
  • Private
  • Blood Banks or Mobile Units
     
• Other
  • Any resident

What is to be Reported?

See the Michigan Department of Community Health Reportable Disease List.

How to Report:

Forms for physicians, hospitals, and schools are available to download from this web site.  They may be faxed to the local health department.

Diseases may be reported by phone, fax or data entry into the online Michigan Disease Surveillance System, or in person, or by letter if no other means available. 

The Community Health Agency Disease Control follows procedures to prevent the spread of disease and educate the community on methods to prevent infections. Follow-up of individual case reports is accomplished  by speaking with clients and/or families, physicians, hospital infection control, laboratories, and others to gather more details regarding the illness, symptoms, treatment, and possible sources of the disease.  Education is also provided and resources are available at the Agency and on the internet.

For community protection, sometimes preventative medications or vaccinations are prescribed or provided to contain disease.  It is important to make sure that contacts in the client's life during the disease process are informed and educated regarding prevention, treatment, and infectiousness.

Data is collected, sorted, analyzed and maintained to guide public health officials in disease control and community health protection.  This surveillance data is also utilized to determine appropriate strategies in maintaining public health.

• Physicians/Laboratories
  • Health Care Professional's Guide to the Michigan Communicable Disease Rules
  • Disease Reporting Requirements
  • Physicians Office Weekly CD Reporting Form
     
• Schools
  • How and When to Report CD Information Guide
  • Branch County Weekly School CD Report
  • Hillsdale County Weekly School CD Report
  • St. Joseph County Weekly School CD Report