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Surveillance and Investigation Guidance
Contact the Florida Department of Health
- The Bureau of Epidemiology is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 850-245-4401
-
Mailing Address
Florida Department of Health
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Legend
| ❗ | Report immediately 24/7 by phone upon initial suspicion or laboratory test order |
| ☎ | Report immediately 24/7 by phone |
| ● | Report next business day |
| + | Other reporting timeframe |
| ✉ | Submit isolate or specimen for confirmation |
Click an icon above to view all diseases/conditions that fall in that reporting timeframe.
All practitioners, healthcare facilities, and laboratories in Florida are required to notify the DOH of diseases or conditions of public health significance under Section 381.0031, Florida Statutes and Chapter 64D-3, Florida Administrative Code (FAC).
Below are resources to surveillance and investigation protocols, including disease-specific Guide to Surveillance and Investigation (GSI) chapters. Each GSI chapter includes a section on disease reporting, the disease or condition and its epidemiology, case definition(s), laboratory testing, case investigation, controlling further spread, managing sensitive situations, and important links and references. All reportable diseases (excluding HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis) are listed with the required reporting timeframe, case definition, GSI chapter, and case report form.
- Merlin Extended Data Information for County Health Departments
- REPORTING RESOURCES FOR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS
- Guidance Documents for County Health Departments
- Laboratory Documents for County Health Departments
- Previously Reportable Diseases and Conditions
Please note that many diseases have an electronic extended data screen available in Merlin (Florida’s reportable disease surveillance system) to capture disease-specific risk factors. Paper case report forms (CRFs) are available for these diseases as a tool to assist in case investigation and interview. Some diseases do not have an extended data screen available in Merlin and a paper CRF must be completed and attached to the case in Merlin. Other diseases do not have either an extended data screen or a paper CRF. The requirement for completing the Merlin extended data screen or a paper case report form is listed for each disease.
Maps
Food and Waterborne Disease Program Epidemiologist Coverage Map
Investigations Unit Epidemiologist and Laboratory Liaison Coverage Map
Florida Administrative Code and HIPAA
Florida Administrative Code and Florida Administrative Register
Chapter 64D-3, Florida Administrative Code
Public Health HIPAA Exempt Letter to Providers (June 4, 2014)
Practitioner Reporting
Health Care Practitioner Reporting Guidelines for Reportable Diseases and Conditions in Florida (June 4, 2014)
List of Reportable Diseases/Conditions for Health Care Practitioners (June 4, 2014)
Practitioner Disease Reporting Form (June 4, 2014)
Laboratory Reporting
Laboratory Reporting Guidelines for Reportable Diseases and Conditions in Florida (June 4, 2014)
List of Reportable Diseases/Conditions for Laboratories (June 4, 2014)
General Reporting
Basic Case Investigation Form (March 2012)
Product Complaint Form (November 1998)
Case Definitions and MMWR Weeks
For additional reporting resources, please contact the Bureau of Epidemiology at (850) 245-4401
Surveillance, Investigation & Reporting
Guidance for Monitoring of Persons Exposed to Communicable Infectious Diseases of Public Health Importance (January 2016)
Technical Assistance Guidelines: Epidemiology Guide to Surveillance and Investigation (January 2015)
Recommendations for Interview and Investigation of Reported Cases of Enteric Infections (March 15, 2012)
Interim Guidance on Merlin Reporting for CHDs Related to Updates to Rule 64D-3.029, Florida Administrative Code (July 2, 2014)
Guideline for Control of Outbreaks of Enteric Disease in Child Care Setting (January 2017)
Technical Assistance Guidelines: Epidemiology Guide to Surveillance and Investigation (January 2017)
Removed June 4, 2014
Encephalitis (Other, Non-Arboviral)
Staphylococcus aureus, Community-Associated Mortality
Streptococcal Invasive Disease (Group A)
Toxoplasmosis
Typhus Fever, Endemic (Rickettsia typhi)
*Note: This page contains materials in the Portable Document Format (PDF). The free Acrobat Reader may be required to view these files.
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Amebic Encephalitis☎
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Anthrax❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Contact the Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
Arsenic Poisoning·
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Babesiosis· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Botulism❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Click for Additional Resources
Infant BotulismGuidelines for Specimen Collection and Shipment
Brucellosis❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
California Serogroup Virus Disease· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Campylobacteriosis·
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning·
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Chikungunya Fever, Imported· ✉
Chikungunya Fever, Locally Acquired❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case DefinitionSurveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne DiseasesCase Report Form
Cholera (Vibrio cholerae Type O1)❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)·
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Cryptosporidiosis·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Optional
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Cyclosporiasis· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
National Hypothesis Generating Questionnaire Required for cases with onset dates between May and August
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report FormNational Hypothesis Generating Questionnaire
Dengue Fever, Imported· ✉
Dengue Fever, Locally Acquired❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases Case Report Form
Diphtheria❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Eastern Equine Encephalitis· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases Case Report Form
Ebola❗ ✉
Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Enteric Disease
Reporting Requirements
No Reporting Requirements
Guidance Documents
Flavivirus Disease and Infection❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Foodborne Outbreak
Reporting Requirements
No Reporting Requirements
Guidance Documents
Giardiasis, Acute·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Optional
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Extended Data
Glanders (Burkholderia mallei)❗✉
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Haemophilus influenzae Invasive Disease❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required for cases < 5 years old
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Hansen's Disease (Leprosy)·
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Hantavirus Infection☎ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)☎
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Hepatitis A☎
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Hepatitis B, Acute·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Hepatitis B, Chronic·
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Hepatitis B, Perinatal·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Hepatitis B, Surface Antigen in Pregnant Women·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Hepatitis C, Acute·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Hepatitis C, Chronic·
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Click for Additional Resources
Young Adults Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Young Adults Case Report Form
Hepatitis C, Perinatal·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Hepatitis D·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Hepatitis E·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Hepatitis G·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigations Case Report Form
Herpes B Virus, Possible Exposure·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Influenza A, Novel or Pandemic Strains❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Contact the Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality☎ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Lead Poisoning·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation (Adults) Guide to Surveillance and Investigation (Children)
Legionellosis·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Leptospirosis·
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Listeriosis☎ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Case Report Form - EnglishCase Report Form - SpanishInstructions for Completing Listeria Initiative Form - English
Lyme Disease·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Malaria· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases Case Report Form
Click for Additional Resources
Measles (Rubeola)❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Click for Additional Resources
Melioidosis (Burkholderia pseudomallei)❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Meningitis, Bacterial or Mycotic·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Meningococcal Disease❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Mercury Poisoning·
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)❗
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition MERS CHD Guidance SummaryMERS FDOH PUI Form
Click for Additional Resources
Mumps·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning☎
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Outbreak, Foodborne and Waterborne
Outbreak, General☎
Reporting Requirements
No Reporting Requirements
Guidance Documents
Paratyphoid Fever☎ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Pertussis☎
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Pesticide-Related Illness and Injury, Acute·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Plague❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Contact the Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Poliomyelitis❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Contact the Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
Case Definition - Paralytic Case Definition - Non-Paralytic Guide to Surveillance and Investigation
Psittacosis (Ornithosis)· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Q Fever, Acute (Coxiella burnetii)· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Q Fever, Chronic (Coxiella burnetii)· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Rabies, Animal☎
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Rabies, Human☎
Reporting Requirements
Contact Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
Rabies, Possible Exposure❗
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Rabies Prevention and Control in Florida Case Report Form
Click for Additional Resources
Ricin Toxin Poisoning❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Rubella❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Rubella, Congenital Syndrome❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Salmonellosis· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Optional
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Saxitoxin Poisoning (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning)·
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC)· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Shigellosis·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Optional
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Smallpox❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Contact the Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
St. Louis Encephalitis· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases Case Report Form
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Poisoning☎ ✉
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Staphylococcus aureus Infection, Vancomycin Non-Susceptible (VISA, VRSA)☎ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Contact the Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
Streptococcus pneumoniae Invasive Disease·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required For Cases < 6 Years Old
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Tetanus·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Trichinellosis (Trichinosis)·
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Tularemia (Francisella tularensis)❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Typhoid Fever (Salmonella serotype Typhi)☎ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Typhus Fever, Epidemic (Rickettsia prowazekii)❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
No Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Vaccinia Disease❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Contact the Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
Varicella (Chickenpox)·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Varicella (Chickenpox) Mortality·
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases Case Report Form
Vibriosis (Excluding Vibrio cholerae Type O1)· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Guide to Surveillance and Investigation Case Report Form
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Contact Bureau of Epidemiology
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Ebola Consultation Form Guidance for Counties
Waterborne Outbreak
Reporting Requirements
No Reporting Requirements
Guidance Documents
West Nile Virus Disease· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases Case Report Form
Western Equine Encephalitis· ✉
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases Case Report Form
Yellow Fever❗ ✉
Reporting Requirements
Paper Case Report Form Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne Diseases Case Report Form
Zika Virus Disease and Infection❗
Reporting Requirements
Merlin Extended Data Required
Guidance Documents
Case Definition for Non-Congenital Cases – Updated 10/20/2016Case Definition for Congenital Cases – Updated 09/22/2016Reporting Guidance for County Health Departments – Updated 04/19/16Case Report Form
Click for Additional Resources
Surveillance and Control of Mosquito-borne DiseasesUpdated Guidance for Zika Virus Testing - Pregnant Women Who Live or Work in the Area of Concern – 08/04/2016Sample Submission Guidance for County Health Departments – Updated 06/07/2016HMS Guidance for County Health Departments for Ordering Zika Testing for Pregnant Women – 08/15/2016Zika Questionnaire for Providers Updated 08/04/2016DH1847 – Zika Specific, FillableCHD Guidance on Testing Pregnant Women for Zika Virus Infection – 09/16/2016Testing Algorithm for Non-Pregnant Individuals – Updated 02/08/2016Guide to Interpretation of Zika Laboratory Results for Imported Cases – Updated 03/16/2016Diagnostic Specimen Collection, Packaging and Shipping Guidance for Laboratories and County Health Departments – Updated 08/05/2016Testing – Frequently Asked Questions – Updated 04/18/2016General Information
Page Last Updated: 10/20/2016
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