A serious infectious disease which, in the UK, has to be reported by a doctor to the Department of Health so that steps can be taken to stop it spreading.
A disease that must be reported to the health authorities in order that speedy control and preventive action may be undertaken if necessary. In the US such diseases must be reported to the county or state public health department. Notifiable diseases may include cholera, diphtheria, dysentery, food poisoning, infective jaundice, malaria, measles, poliomyelitis, smallpox, tuberculosis, typhoid, and whooping cough. The list varies for different countries, being largely dependent on the endemic communicable diseases and the diseases that may be imported.
Diseases, usually of an infectious nature, which are required by law to be made known to a health officer or local authority. Certain occupational diseases are also notifiable.
In the U.S., a disease or condition under surveillance by public health officials (e.g., at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists) typically because of its widespread effects on public health or its potentially explosive consequences. Regulations require that clinical practitioners or laboratory staff report instances of West Nile virus, meningococcal disease, SARS, yellow fever, elevated blood lead levels, silicosis, tobacco use, and many other illnesses to public health authorities.
A disease that is legally mandated to be reported to public health authorities is known as a notifiable disease. In the United States, the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), overseen by the CDC, monitors a list of nationally recognized diseases that fall under this category.
Medical conditions that necessitate reporting to the local health authority. The act of notifying specific, potentially dangerous infectious diseases empowers public health experts to supervise and manage the dissemination of infections, while also facilitating the documentation of disease trends.
Instances of reportable contagious illnesses encompass cases such as foodborne illnesses, viral hepatitis, measles, malaria, pertussis (commonly known as whooping cough), tetanus, tuberculosis, meningitis, mumps, and rubella (referred to as German measles). Corresponding data is also gathered on conditions like cancers, occupational diseases, congenital anomalies, and various health issues not caused by infections.