Who is responsible for reporting diseases to a state health department and the cdc?

Important update: Healthcare facilities

CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more

Information for Health Departments on Reporting Cases of COVID-19

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is a disease caused by the newly emerged coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is a nationally notifiable disease and reporting cases to CDC is supported by routine case notification through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), as well as resources provided through the CDC COVID-19 response.

Reporting COVID-19 Cases to CDC

Please note: COVID-19 case reporting forms and templates are intended for use by health departments. Individuals or organizations with questions about reporting a case should contact their local health department.

The COVID-19 worksheet pdf icon[201 KB, 6 pages] collects key information on COVID-19 case-patients, including:

• Demographic, clinical, and epidemiologic characteristics
• Exposure and contact history
• Course of clinical illness and care received

The COVID-19 worksheet standardizes the reporting of information on COVID-19 cases from jurisdictional health departments to CDC. These data will help us:

• Inform public health response to prevent further spread of SARS-CoV-2
• Better understand the virus and its impact on health outcomes

Resources to support jurisdictional health departments submit COVID-19 case data to CDC:

Please note that the worksheet, instructions, and data dictionary were updated on May 18, 2022

Changes include:

• Addition of 5th and 6th vaccine repeating groups and lineage variable to template, dictionary, and instructions.
• Removal of variables that had been discontinued in May 2020 from dictionary and template.
• Addition of instructions for optional creation and submission of 2020 static dataset to submission instructions.

Local health officials compile information from healthcare providers, laboratories, and other reports. Local and state health departments use the data to identify and control disease outbreaks. They ensure people are effectively tested, treated, and provided with the care they need to stay healthy. States submit data to CDC, where the information is used to guide public health policy and prevention strategies that keep people healthy and defend America from health threats.

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services has statutory responsibility for preventing the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases in the United States. Under its delegated authority, the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine works to fulfill this responsibility through a variety of activities, including

• the operation of Quarantine Stations at ports of entry
• establishment of standards for medical examination of persons destined for the United States, and
• administration of interstate and foreign quarantine regulations, which govern the international and interstate movement of persons, animals, and cargo.

The legal foundation for these activities is found in Titles 8 and 42 of the U.S. Code and relevant supporting regulations.

Legal Authorities for Isolation and Quarantine

The federal government derives its authority for isolation and quarantine from the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Read more on the Legal Authorities for Isolation and Quarantine page.

United States Federal Laws and Regulations for Control of Communicable Diseases

United States Code

The United States Code is a consolidation and codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. Sections 264-272 of the following portion of the code apply: Title 42 – The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 6A – Public Health Service, Subchapter II – General Powers and Duties, Part G – Quarantine and Inspection. Links are provided by the Government Printing Officeexternal icon.

Code of Federal Regulations

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the official and complete text of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register. These regulations are established by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The CFR is divided into various titles that represent broad subject areas of Federal regulation. CDC’s regulations fall under Title 42: Public Health, Chapter 1 – Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.

Links are from the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration on the United States Government Printing Officeexternal icon web site. Specifically, Parts 70 and 71 of the following portion of the CFR apply:

Recent Updates

On January 19th, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the Final Rule titled Final Rule for Control of Communicable Diseases: Interstate and Foreign. This Final Rule enhances HHS/CDC’s ability to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases into the United States and interstate by clarifying and providing greater transparency regarding its response capabilities and practices. The final rule is published on the Office of the Federal Register’s website.external icon This regulation became effective on March 21st, 2017.

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On July 10, 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted guidance on the issuance and enforcement of dog confinement agreements. This guidance describes the factors that HHS/CDC will consider in deciding whether to issue a dog confinement agreement or deny entry of a dog being imported into the United States that has not been adequately vaccinated against rabies. Dog confinement agreements are covered under 42 CFR 71.51. This guidance becomes effective on August 11, 2014 (30 days after publication).

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Executive Orders

Executive Orders specify the list of diseases for which federal quarantine is authorized, which is required by the Public Health Service Act. On recommendation of the HHS Secretary, the President may amend this list whenever necessary to add new communicable diseases, including emerging diseases that are a threat to public health. The most recent Executive Order added measles to the list of quarantinable communicable diseases.

Executive Order on Adding Measles to the List of Quarantinable Communicable Diseasesexternal icon
Executive Order 13295 of April 4, 2003 (Revised List of Quarantinable Communicable Diseases), section 1 of Executive Order 13295, as amended by Executive Order 13375 of April 1, 2005 (Amendment to Executive Order 13295 Relating to Certain Influenza Viruses and Quarantinable Communicable Diseases), Executive Order 13674 of July 31, 2014 (Revised List of Quarantinable Communicable Diseases), and Executive Order 14047 of September 17, 2021 (Executive Order on Adding Measles to the List of Quarantinable Communicable Diseases).

• Additional Public Health Law Resources
• For animal importation and quarantine regulations, please see the Laws and Regulations page on the Animal Importation site