Surveillance of Infectious Diseases

This program provides for the investigation of communicable diseases reported by medical providers. Activities include community education, patient history and follow-up, and partner notification.

The following diseases are declared to be contagious, infectious, communicable and dangerous to the public health and each suspected or diagnosed case shall be reported.

The following diseases must be reported to the Knox County Health Department by medical and/or laboratory providers.

The occurrence of any increase in incidence of disease of unknown or unusual etiology should be reported, with major signs and symptoms listed. When an epidemic of a disease dangerous to the public health occurs, and present rules are not adequate for its control or prevention, more stringent requirements shall be issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

* Reportable by telephone immediately, within 3 hours upon initial clinical suspicion of the disease. This previous statement applies to all communicable disease program diseases with a single asterik - including: anthrax, plague any suspected bioterrorism threat or event, Q-fever, smallpox and tularemia. ** Botulism, reportable by telephone immediately, within 3 hours upon initial clincial suspicion of the disease for foodborne or within 24 house for other types.