Each disease that requires reporting has a control section identifying the public health response to the report. The reporting rule has two lists of reportable diseases, one list for physicians and hospital administrators, and one for laboratories. The reporting requirements were simplified for physicians and administrators by having just two reporting times, immediate or 72 hours. Diseases requiring immediate reporting are those that have grave consequences and require immediate public health intervention to protect contacts. Immediate reporting is also required for diseases caused by Category A Bioterrorism agents.
Laboratory reporting for all diseases remains weekly at a minimum.
An important piece of epidemiological data used in outbreak investigations has become the typing or genetic fingerprinting of certain organisms to establish the source of the disease or strain circulating in a community. With these extra data, the ISDH can link cases and has proven that certain foods and or facilities were the source of a foodborne outbreak. The ISDH staff has been very fortunate to have a number of local health department personnel, infection control professionals, and others assist with the revision. Their assistance and incorporated suggestions have been valuable contributions. We will continue to partner with them as we place the rule into practice to promote, protect and provide for the public health of people in Indiana.