EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
INFECTION CONTROL POLICY
Reportable Diseases
Date Originated: 12/5/07
Date Approved: 3/4/08
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Approved by:
Date Reviewed: 3/1/11
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Vice Chancellor Health Services
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Director, Prospective Health
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Chairman, Infection Control Committee
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Infection Control Nurse
I. Physician Responsibility:
Under NC law 130A-141, certain communicable diseases or conditions must be reported
to the local health department. The responsibility is linked to the physician’s license.
The appendix contains a current list of reportable conditions; new conditions are added
annually.
II. Delegation
At ECU this responsibility is frequently delegated to a clinic nurse who submits routine
reports to the ECU Infection Control Nurse for reporting the local health department.
Similarly, Student Health Services has identified an Infection Control Nurse to report
communicable disease.
III. Acute Condition Reporting
Most conditions are reportable within 1-7 days; a few are reportable “immediately.”
These are conditions of particular public health impact or bioterrorism concerns. If a
physician suspects such a condition, an immediate call to the local health department is
indicated, even if the diagnosis is not verified.
Infection Control may be notified later.
IV. Physician Oversight
When a condition is reported to the health department, the attending physician is
designated as the responsible physician.
It is incumbent on the attending physician to closely oversee the work of any resident
under his/her supervision when dealing with a reportable condition. The health
department may contact the attending physician for follow-up questions or investigations.
V. Verification of Diagnosis
It is advisable to verify the diagnosis of the conditions with potential community or
public health impacts to the extent possible. However, contact with the community
health department need not be delayed until laboratory confirmation of cases when the
condition is designated as “immediately” reportable.
If there is uncertainty about the presence of a condition or its diagnosis, a consult with
Infectious Disease or with the Health Department is advised before communication with
schools, workplaces, or other community agencies.
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Appendix A
SUBCHAPTER 41A – COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL
SECTION .0100 – REPORTING OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
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