List of notifiable conditions

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Varicella (chicken Pox)

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EPI-1 Form

The Division of Communicable Disease and Epidemiology is responsible for monitoring public health. All reportable diseases, possible biological weapons, and outbreaks are monitored by the epidemiologist, the medical officer, and nursing staff.

Bioterrorism Preparedness is currently the primary focus of Epidemiology at this time.

Several Texas laws (Health & Safety Code, Chapters 81, 84, and 87) require specific information regarding notifiable conditions be provided to the Texas Department of Health (TDH). Health care providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and others are required to report patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition (Chapter 97, Title 25, Texas Administrative Code).

General Instructions

* WHAT: The table below lists notifiable conditions in Texas. In addition to these conditions, any outbreaks, exotic diseases, and unusual group expressions of disease must be reported. All diseases shall be reported by name, age, sex, race/ethnicity, DOB, address, telephone number, disease, date of onset, method of diagnosis, and name, address, and telephone number of physician.
* WHEN: The table below lists when to report each condition. Cases or suspected cases of illness considered to be public health emergencies, outbreaks, exotic diseases, and unusual group expressions of disease must be reported to the local health department or TDH immediately. Other diseases for which there must be a quick public health response must be reported within one working day. All other conditions must be reported to the local health department or TDH within one week.
* HOW: The table below lists methods for reporting various conditions. Note that any notifiable condition can be reported by calling (800) 705-8868. In case of emergency, calling this number after hours will reach the physician/epidemiologist-on-call. Paper forms can be obtained by calling your local health department

Special Instructions

* Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) should only be reported once following the initial physician diagnosis. The report date, type and results of tests including a CD4 + T lymphocyte cell count below 200 cells per microliter/percentage < 14% mustalso be included with the report.
* Chancroid, Chlamydia trachomatis infection, gonorrhea, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and syphilis reports must also include the report date, type and results of tests, including a CD4 + T lymphocyte cell count below 200 cells per microliter/percentage < 14% for HIV infection.
* Meningitis types include aseptic/viral, bacterial (specify etiology), fungal, parasitic, and other.
* Invasive streptococcal disease, invasive meningococcal infection, or invasive Haemophilius influenzae type b infections refers to isolates from normally sterile sites and includes meningitis, septicemia, cellulitis, epiglottitis, osteomyelitis, pericarditis, septic arthritis, and necrotizing fasciitis.

Laboratories

Laboratories, blood banks, mobile units, and other facilities in which a laboratory examination of a blood specimen is made are required to report patients with a CD4 + T lymphocyte cell count below 200 cells per microliter or CD4 + T lymphocyte percentage less than 14%.

Immediately report isolates of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and vancomycin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococcus species by calling ([800] 252-8239) or faxing ([512] 458-7616). Isolates of VRSA and vancomycin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococcus species shall be submitted to the Bureau of Laboratories, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-3199. Isolates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) species and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae shall be reported to the TDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance Division on at least a quarterly basis.

All reports of VRSA, vancomycin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species, VRE, and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae shall include patient name; date of birth or age; sex; city of submitter; anatomic site of culture; date of culture; and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) if available. For VRE, name the species of Enterococcus.

In addition, numeric totals of all isolates of Enterococcus species and all isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae shall be reported to the TDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance Division no later than the last working day of March, June, September, and December.

Laboratories shall submit all Neisseria meningitidis isolates from normally sterile sites to the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756-3199.

For more information contact Danyta , Public Health Preparedness Team Coordinator
956-383-6221.
our 24/7 (956) 318-2426