Reportable Diseases/Conditions

Clinicians - How to Report
reportable diseases

The East Hartford Health Department is responsible for monitoring the status of infectious diseases within the community. State law requires area physicians, hospitals, and laboratories to report selected diseases to local health departments. The Health Department is then required to investigate and apply control measures, when applicable. This process involves interviewing the affected persons and contacts in order to detect potential outbreaks, identify changes in trends over time, characterize disparities among population subgroups (differences by race, ethnicity, gender, etc.), and determine which diseases and conditions significantly impact the morbidity and mortality of specific populations. This knowledge helps public health professionals implement education and prevention measures. The East Hartford Health Department works within the community along with the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT-DPH) to detect, control, and prevent the spread of communicable (infectious) diseases.

In accordance with Sections 19a-36-A3 and 19a-36-A4 of the Public Health Code and Sections 19a-2a and 19a-215 of the Connecticut General Statutes, diseases on the lists of reportable diseases, emergency illnesses and health conditions, and laboratory reportable significant findings are required to be reported to the DPH and the Local Health Director of the East Hartford Health Department.

Reporting a Disease

Which disease / conditions should be reported?

In accordance with Sections 19a-36-A3 and 19a-36-A4 of the Public Health Code and Sections 19a-2a and 19a-215 of the Connecticut General Statutes, CT-DPH creates a list of reportable diseases, emergency illnesses and health conditions that are reportable.  The list is updated annually and released in January.

Most of the diseases on the list are caused by pathogens that are transmissible person-to-person, animal-to-person (zoonotic), or are considered of public health importance due to their potential to be used for bioterrorism events.  However, the list also includes conditions from certain non-infectious agents (e.g., lead toxicity) and outbreaks (e.g., foodborne, institutional or unusual disease).

Who is required to report a disease/ outbreak on the list?

Any health care provider who treats or examines a person who has or is suspected to have a disease on the list is required by law to report. In a health care facility, the person in charge of the facility must make sure the disease is reported. 

Food service facilities, schools, camps, vessels, aircraft and funeral homes are required to report if the person with the disease is not seen by a clinician and is not in a health care facility or if the clinician/facility has not reported.

How do I report a disease on the list?  How quickly do I need to report the disease?

The reportable diseases / outbreaks are classified as Category 1 or Category 2 diseases.

  • Category 1 diseases should be reported by telephone on the day of recognition or strong suspicion of diseases.  A report must also be mailed within 12 hours. These diseases are marked with a telephone on the DPH list of reportable diseases.
  • Category 2 diseases should be reported by mail within 12 hours of recognition or strong suspicion.

A mailed report must be sent in an envelope marked “CONFIDENTIAL.” Mail the white copy to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program at:

410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11FDS

P.O. Box 340308

Hartford, CT 06134-0308

Mail the canary copy to the Director of Health of the patient’s town of residence. Retain the pink copy in the patient’s medical record. For East Hartford residents, please mail this form to the East Hartford Health Department at:

740 Main Street

East Hartford, CT 06108

Fillable PDF forms can be found here.

Who should the report be sent to?

Disease should be reported to the local director of health of the town in which the patient resides and to the CT Department of Public Health.

  • Telephone reports of Category 1 disease should be made to the local director of health for the town in which the patient resides and to the Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program (860-509-7994).
  • Tuberculosis cases should be directly reported to the Tuberculosis Control Program (860-509-7722).
  • For the name, address, or telephone number of the local Director of Health for a specific town contact the Office of Local Health Administration (860-509-7660).
    • East Hartford Health Department (860-291-7324)
  • For public health emergencies, an epidemiologist can be reached evenings, weekends, and holidays through the DPH emergency number (860-509-8000).

If the laboratory is required to report an infection, do I, as a clinician, still have to report?

Yes.  Laboratories are required to report laboratory evidence suggestive of a reportable disease, but this is not a substitute for reporting by a clinician.  This is particularly important because clinicians have more information which is important to communicable disease control than is available to the laboratory.

What form should I use to report a disease /outbreak?

Most diseases / outbreaks should be reported using the PD 23 form.  Specialized reporting forms are available for HIV/AIDS Surveillance, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Tuberculosis, and Hospitalized and Fatal Cases of Influenza.

What information should be reported?

Reports (mailed, faxed, or telephoned) should include the full name and address of the person reporting, attending physician, disease, illness or condition, and full name, address, date of birth, race/ethnicity, sex and occupation of the person affected.