Notifiable Conditions

Notifiable conditions are reportable to the local and state health departments by law. This is for the public's protection and helps the local health department track, detect and respond to diseases and disease outbreaks. You can find the updated list of Notifiable Conditions at the Texas Department of State Health Services and see when you should notify your Local or State Health department. 

Disease Surveillance

Midland Health Services is actively involved in public health surveillance activities. Surveillance is “the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of outcome-specific data for use in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice.” Several Texas laws (Health and Safety Code, Chapters 81, 84, and 87) require specific information regarding notifiable conditions to be provided to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Health care providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and others are required to report patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition (Chapter 97, Title 25, Texas Administrative Code).

The release of this information is allowable under HIPAA regulations. Section 164.512(b) permits covered entities to release private health information to a public health authority authorized by law to collect and receive information for preventing and controlling the disease. This information includes reporting of disease, public health investigations, and public health interventions. Under this exception, you can release information to the public health department.

Reporting 

Cases or suspected cases of illness considered possible public health emergencies, outbreaks, exotic diseases, and unusual group expressions of illness must be reported to the Midland Health Department immediately. Other diseases for which a quick public health response must be reported within one working day of suspicion. All other conditions must be reported within one week. For assistance in reporting this information, you can refer to the Infectious Disease Report Form for guidance on the information needed when making a report. These conditions should be reported to the Midland Health Department so each case can be investigated and then forwards completed cases to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Infectious Disease Control Unit. 

The  Midland Health Department contact number for reporting health emergencies and urgent epidemiological assistance

• Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
  • Public Health Nurse 432-681-7617 
  • Epidemiologist 432-681-7631
•  After Hours & Weekends: 888-963-7111

Quick Facts About Communicable Diseases

1. Communicable diseases spread from one person to another or from an animal to a person.
2. The spread often happens via airborne viruses or bacteria and blood or other bodily fluids.
3. The terms infectious and contagious are also used to describe the communicable disease.