18 Questions
What is the purpose of epidemiologic surveillance?
To recognize an epidemic before it spreads further
How many notifiable diseases have been identified by law at the federal level in the United States?
90
Who is required to report cases of notifiable diseases?
All physicians, hospitals, and clinical laboratories
What is an example of a non-infectious condition required to be reported in the state of Washington?
Gunshot wounds
What is the benefit of timely reporting of notifiable diseases?
It allows public health authorities to detect an emerging epidemic at an early stage
What is the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in disease reporting?
To receive reports of notifiable diseases from state health departments
What is the purpose of urging a system to monitor conditions such as birth defects, Alzheimer’s disease, and asthma?
To identify causes, especially environmental, of chronic diseases
Why were nearly all types of cancer added to the list of national notifiable diseases in 2010?
To aid in recognizing emerging diseases
How was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) first recognized early in the epidemic?
Via a report to the health department by a perceptive physician
Why is it important to identify the source of a hepatitis outbreak?
To prevent further spread of the virus
What is the significance of hepatitis A being a notifiable disease in all 50 states?
To ensure comprehensive monitoring and reporting
What role does shoeleather epidemiology play in identifying new health issues in a community?
It aids in the detection and investigation of outbreaks by collecting data through field investigation
What is the primary purpose of disease reporting, as shown in Table 4-2?
To track the endemic rate of diseases
Which of the following diseases had the highest number of reported cases in 2017, according to Table 4-2?
Chlamydia trachomatis infection
What is the term for the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events or diseases among populations?
Epidemiology
What is the term for the initial investigation of a disease outbreak to identify the source and mode of transmission?
Epidemiologic investigation
According to Table 4-2, how many cases of Hepatitis A, acute were reported in 2017?
3365
What is the term for the persistent presence of a disease or infectious agent within a geographic area, as reflected in Table 4-2?
Endemic
Study Notes
Reporting of Chronic Diseases and Notifiable Diseases
- Public health agencies have urged for a system to monitor chronic diseases such as birth defects, Alzheimer's disease, and asthma to identify causes, including environmental causes, and prevent further harm.
- In 2010, nearly all types of cancer were added to the list of national notifiable diseases.
Surveillance System
- The surveillance system was created to control the spread of known diseases, but it can also facilitate the recognition of new emerging diseases.
- The first step in recognizing a new disease is usually a report to the local or state health department or the CDC by a perceptive physician who notices something unusual.
Hepatitis Outbreak
- Hepatitis A is a notifiable disease in all 50 states, and it is important to identify the source of any outbreak to prevent wider exposure to the virus.
- Hepatitis A can make people sick for several weeks and can sometimes require hospitalization.
Epidemiologic Surveillance
- Epidemiologic surveillance is a system that requires certain notifiable diseases to be reported as soon as they are diagnosed.
- In the United States, approximately 90 conditions have been identified by law as notifiable at the federal level, including infectious diseases such as anthrax, HIV, measles, and Zika.
- Some states require reporting of additional infectious diseases, birth defects, adverse reactions to immunizations, and other non-infectious conditions.
Reporting of Notifiable Diseases
- All physicians, hospitals, and clinical laboratories must report any case of a notifiable disease or condition to their local health department.
- The timely reporting of cases of notifiable diseases allows public health authorities to detect an emerging epidemic at an early stage and take measures to control the spread of infectious diseases.
Notifiable Diseases at the National Level
- Table 4-2 lists the infectious diseases designated as notifiable at the national level, along with the number of cases reported during 2017.
- Examples of notifiable diseases include anthrax, HIV, measles, Zika, and others.
- The number of cases reported for each disease varies, ranging from 0 to 555,608 (for gonorrhea).
Test your knowledge on the concepts of epidemiologic surveillance and notifiable diseases. Learn about the importance of recognizing epidemics early and the actions taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
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