Disease Control & Prevention
Report a Communicable Disease
Class A diseases must be reported immediately by telephone.
For all other reportable diseases, fax the lab report and/or a completed Ohio Confidential Reportable Disease form — opens in a new tab, leaves this website to 740-342-5540, or call the health department to report the communicable disease.
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What is a communicable disease?
A communicable disease is an illness spread by coming in contact with someone or something that is infectious. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the most common organisms causing communicable disease. These illnesses can be passed from person (or animal) to person through direct contact with body fluids, ingesting contaminated food or water, breathing contaminated air, or the bite of an infected animal.
What diseases are reported?
In Ohio, there are more than 80 reportable illnesses, such as hepatitis C, chlamydia, salmonellosis, and pertussis.
Who reports communicable diseases?
According to the Ohio Administrative Code, section 3701-3 — opens in a new tab, leaves this website, all laboratories are required to report all positive lab results. Physicians and other health professionals are required to report all positive and suspect cases. Reports are made to the local health district where the patient lives. All information reported is kept confidential.
What does the health department do when a case is reported?
All cases are reviewed. Some reported diseases require only collection of data for statistics. Others may require a personal letter and education about the reported illness. Certain diseases require more in-depth investigation with patient contact and interview.
What information does the health department collect, and why?
Specific information regarding the history of disease — such as symptom onset, treatment, and recent activity — is helpful in understanding the disease's impact on the patient and the community. Analysis of the collected information can aid in identifying links between disease outbreaks and sources of infection. Investigations also provide ideal opportunities to educate the public about communicable disease prevention, transmission, and treatment.