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Report a Disease or Contact Public Health
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
Phone: (831) 454-4114
Fax: (831) 454-5049
After Hours/Weekends: (831) 471-1170
COVID-19 Information
Medical providers, public health officials, and other individuals and organizations are mandated by Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations to report suspected, lab-confirmed, and clinical diagnoses of specific diseases and conditions within a specified time frame. Health care providers must report diseases even if the laboratory has already reported.
Under the California Code of Regulations, Title 16, (Section 1364.10), failure to report a communicable disease is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000, or by imprisonment for a term of not more than 90 days, or both. Each day the violation is continued is a separate offense. The Medical Board of California has made failure to report in a timely manner a citable offense under California Business and Professions Code (Section 2234), "Unprofessional Conduct."
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm Phone: (831) 454-4114 Fax: (831) 454-5049 After Hours/Weekends: (831) 471-1170
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES ARE EXEMPT FROM HIPAA Many health care professionals remain unsure of the legality of disease reporting in light of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Congress established the HIPAA regulations to safeguard personal medical information from inappropriate disclosures and misuse. Full implementation was mandated in April 2003. While much has been written about HIPAA and Public Health, health care providers continue to question the legality of disease reporting without obtaining prior patient consent. HIPAA privacy regulations do not prevent sharing information with public health officials. In fact, HIPAA regulations contain specific language permitting reports to public health agencies of disease conditions as listed in state public health laws and regulations. Patient authorization is not required when healthcare professionals or laboratory workers suspect or diagnose a disease of public health importance. Public Health exemptions can be found at this webpage (Section 164.512b).
Reportable Diseases and Conditions
Download printable PDF of Reportable Diseases grid
Title 17, California Code of Regulations (CCR) §2500, §2593, §2641.5-2643.20, and §2800-2812 requires that healthcare providers report known or suspected cases of disease or condition, listed below, to the jurisdiction in which the patient resides *
REPORT IMMEDIATELY BY PHONE During Business hours: (831) 454-4114 After hours: (831) 471-1170
REPORT WITHIN ONE WORKING DAY PHONE: (831) 454-4114 FAX: (831) 454-5049
REPORT BY PHONE, FAX OR MAIL WITHIN 7 CALENDAR DAYS PHONE: (831) 454-4114 FAX: (831) 454-5049 MAIL: Attn: Communicable Disease 1060 Emeline Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
REPORT BY PHONE, FAX OR TRACEABLE MAIL WITHIN 7 CALENDAR DAYS PHONE: (831) 454-4838 FAX: (831) 454-5049
Case reports or laboratory reports must be placed in a sealed envelope and sent via traceable mail (USPS Certified, FedEx, or UPS) marked "Confidential", with attention to:
Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency ATTN: HIV Surveillance Coordinator 1060 Emeline Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
REPORTABLE NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS §2800–2812 and §2593 (b) PHONE: (831) 454 - 4114 FAX: (831) 454 - 5049 MAIL: Attn: Communicable Disease 1060 Emeline Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
For STD's or TB, use the forms under those categories below. In the absence of a condition-specific form, please use the General Confidential Morbidity Report form.
Outbreaks or clusters of many diseases are reportable to the Communicable Disease Unit, even if an individual case of the disease is not considered to be a reportable condition under Title 17 CCR Reportable Disease and Conditions. An outbreak is defined as the occurrence of cases of a disease or condition above the expected or baseline level, usually over a given period of time, in a geographic area or facility, or in a specific population group. For example, a viral gastroenteritis (such as norovirus) outbreak may be defined as an incident in which two or more persons experience a similar illness resulting from a common exposure, even though there is no mandate to report a single case of norovirus. The aim in reporting disease clusters is to address an outbreak as early as possible and to control the spread of disease among the population at risk. Thus, if you suspect unusual disease transmission, or are unsure what constitutes an outbreak, please contact the Communicable Disease Unit for further guidance.
For suspected cases of foodborne illness, please contact the Environmental Health Department.
For additional information, please see the following CDPH materials:
Detect and Control Outbreaks
Outbreak Investigation & Response
AFL 23-08
COVID-19 Outbreak Reporting
WHERE TO REPORT: Communicable Disease Unit Phone: 831-454-4114 Fax: 831-454-5049 After Hours: 831-471-1170
WHERE TO REPORT: Environmental Health Department Hours: 8am – 5 pm weekdays Phone: 831-454-2022 Fax: 831-454-3128
What and When to Report
*Please do not wait for lab results to confirm a diagnosis of active TB prior to reporting*
Communicable Disease Unit Fax: 831-454-5049 Phone: 831-454–4114 After Hours: 831-471–1170
*Isolate all suspect, or confirmed cases of active pulmonary, laryngeal, or pleural TB until advised otherwise by the Santa Cruz County Communicable Disease Unit*
Tuberuclosis Confidental Morbidity Report
California law (California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Sections 2641.5–2643.2), requires medical providers, laboratories, hospitals and others to report cases indicative of HIV or AIDS to the local health department within 7 calendar days. As with many other communicable diseases, this is a dual reporting process in which both health care providers and laboratories report.
Reporting Procedures
Cases must be reported for all persons testing positive for HIV and all persons with a condition or test results meeting AIDS case diagnosis criteria.
For the most current HIV/AIDS case definitions and updates, refer to the CDC’s 2014 publication Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
Health care providers and laboratories are required to report all patients with a test indicative of HIV to the local health department within 7 calendar days.
In Santa Cruz County, all HIV disease reports are processed by the HIV Surveillance Coordinator, a part of the Communicable Disease Unit.
When a laboratory has a test indicative of HIV infection, the lab reports a limited amount of information to the HIV Surveillance Coordinator and sends the results to the ordering provider. The provider then forwards a completed Case Report Form to the HIV Surveillance Coordinator.
How to report
Do not send any information by email.
For laboratory-specific California HIV reporting regulations, click here.
For healthcare provider reporting instructions, you may submit the required information in the following ways:
Option 1: Report by Fax or Mail
Option 2: Report by Phone
Complete the report over the telephone, by calling 831-454-4114. We will assist either a physician or a designated staff member in gathering the required information and completing the form with you.
Why prompt reporting is critical
To ensure linkage of care for any newly infected patients or continuation of care for previously diagnosed patients. To monitor current trends in the epidemic and to ensure proper funding for local HIV treatment and prevention services.
Our HIV Partner Services Program provides opportunities for intervention to prevent onward transmission. With different options for disclosure, a trained staff will help notify partners of exposure to HIV and/or STDs and provide linkages to testing and medical care.
For more information about connecting your patient to CARe Team Integrated Services, or CTIS, please click here.
For more information about HIV/AIDS reporting please visit the Office of AIDS – HIV Reporting Laws
Santa Cruz County HIV/AIDS Reporting Requirements
Pesticide Illness Report
Are you concerned about the care that your loved one is receiving in a residential care facility within Santa Cruz County? Your best resource to provide support and advocate for your person is the Ombudsman or call 831-429-1913.