EEIP RIDRM Followup Responsibilities
In Connecticut, disease follow-up can be the responsibility of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) staff, local health department (LHD) staff, or both. It can also include staff from other State agencies, and public health partners like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Category 1 reportable diseases must be reported immediately by phone on the day of recognition or strong suspicion, due to the need for timely public health action. On weekdays, contact the DPH Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program (EEIP) at 860-509-7994, and the LHD of the patient's town of residence. On evenings, weekends, and holidays, contact the DPH's afterhours and emergency number at 860-509-8000. An appropriate form must also be completed and mailed to both the DPH and LHD within 12 hours.
Category 2 reportable diseases must be reported by mail within 12 hours of recognition or strong suspicion to both the DPH and LHD of the person’s town of residence.
The focus of the Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program Reportable Disease Reference Manual (the manual) is on routine follow-up of the reportable infectious diseases that are not covered by the STD/HIV/Hepatitis Programs, Immunizations Program or Tuberculosis Program, which have their own disease-specific recommendations. Please contact the following programs directly:
Food Protection Program: 860-509-7297.
Hepatitis A: 860-509-7994
Hepatitis B or C: 860-509-7900
HIV Prevention Program: 860-509-7807
Immunizations Program: 860-509-7929
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Program: 860-509-7920
Tuberculosis Control Program: 860-509-7722
The manual does not specifically address possible agents of bioterrorism, except by providing information on the Connecticut Public Health Emergency Response Plan, and bioterrorism resources available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
LHD Primary Responsibilities
The LHD is responsible for completing state and/or CDC case report forms if indicated, and for assuring that appropriate control measures are being taken independently of any assistance from the DPH. The LHD has primary responsibility for obtaining surveillance data on diseases in the following list:
Foodborne – Contact 860-509-7994*
*See annual FoodNet/FoodCORE letter for yearly updates on respective follow-up responsibilities.
Campylobacteriosis (NOT reported by Quest Diagnostics)
Special Note on Campylobacter: Beginning in 2018, Campylobacter cases reported by Quest Diagnostics will be interviewed by DPH. LHDs must check CTEDSS in order to know which cases will be interviewed by DPH. A message indicating "CASE TO BE INTERVIEWED BY DPH" will be entered into the "Notes" field in CTEDSS for selected Campylobacter cases targeted for DPH interview. LHD's should interview all other campylobacter cases. See annual FoodNet/FoodCORE letter for additional information.
Salmonella (unless LHD defers to FoodCORE)
Hepatitis – Contact 860-509-7900
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Sexually Transmitted Diseases – Contact 860-509-7920
Chancroid
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Joint Responsibilities
For some diseases, follow-up for both investigation and control is a joint responsibility between the LHD and DPH. In general:
The role of the LHD is to take the necessary action. The DPH may take necessary actions if the LHD does not have the resources.
The primary role of the DPH is to assure that appropriate investigation and control actions are taken for each case.
Chickenpox/Measles/Mumps/Pertussis/Polio/Rubella/Diphtheria
The DPH Immunization Program staff assures that appropriate diagnostic work has been done and works with LHD staff to assure that contacts of each case have been identified, and that appropriate recommendations for vaccination, exclusion, etc., have been made.
Haemophilus influenza disease/Meningococcal disease
The DPH Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program (EEIP) staff assures that the appropriate diagnostic work has been done, and works with LHD staff to assure that close contacts have been identified and referred to their primary care provider for prophylactic treatment.
Hepatitis A
The DPH EEIP staff conducts case investigations and works with LHD staff who oversee and implement control measures when appropriate.
Tuberculosis
The DPH Tuberculosis Control Program staff work with LHD staff to ensure that a treatment plan is developed, a contact investigation is done on each case, those infected are offered preventive therapy, and progress with completing therapy is monitored.
DPH Primary Responsibilities
The DPH is responsible for obtaining additional case data for all other diseases on the list of Reportable Diseases, Emergency Illness, and Health Conditions. All diseases on the list are nationally reportable to the CDC, and some receive federal funding to enable follow-up specifically for surveillance purposes.
Assistance of the LHD may be required when concurrent initiation of control measures is needed, as could be the case in a foodborne outbreak.
Page last updated 9/17/2019.