When a patient is diagnosed with a communicable disease, to whom should this disease be reported?

When a patient is diagnosed with a communicable disease, reporting it to the specific state's public health department is essential for several reasons. The public health department is responsible for monitoring and controlling the spread of communicable diseases within the community. They gather data on disease prevalence, work on prevention strategies, and implement interventions as needed to protect public health.

Additionally, state public health departments can coordinate with local health agencies to provide resources, enforce reporting laws, and conduct investigations into outbreaks. This reporting is crucial for the overall health of the population, ensuring timely action to prevent further transmission of the disease.

While the patient's primary care physician may be notified as part of the patient's care, and the CDC may ultimately receive aggregated data or information related to significant outbreaks, the immediate responsibility for managing and responding to communicable diseases lies with the state's public health department. This structure ensures that local and state resources are utilized effectively to protect community health.