Texas laws on mandatory reporting infectious disease?
Texas Health and Safety Code § 81.081 requires health care providers to report certain infectious diseases to the local health authority (LHA). The reportable diseases are listed in § 81.082 and include:
* Cholera
* Diphtheria
* Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
* Hepatitis A
* Hepatitis B
* Hepatitis C
* HIV/AIDS
* Measles
* Meningococcal disease
* Mumps
* Pertussis
* Plague
* Poliomyelitis
* Rabies
* Rubella
* Smallpox
* Syphilis
* Tetanus
* Tuberculosis
* Typhoid fever
* Varicella (chickenpox)
* Yellow fever
Health care providers are also required to report any suspected case of a communicable disease that may pose a significant threat to public health.
In addition to the diseases listed above, Texas law also requires the reporting of certain other conditions, including:
* Any illness or condition caused by a biological agent or toxin that is listed in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Select Agent and Toxin List
* Any illness or condition that is suspected to be a bioterrorist attack
* Any case of a disease or condition that the LHA determines is a public health emergency
Health care providers are required to report these conditions to the LHA within 24 hours of diagnosis or suspicion.
The LHA is responsible for investigating all reports of infectious disease and taking appropriate steps to prevent the spread of the disease. This may include isolating the infected person, providing treatment, and vaccinating people who have been exposed to the disease.
Penalties for Failure to Report
Health care providers who fail to report a reportable disease may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation. In addition, the LHA may take disciplinary action against health care providers who fail to comply with the reporting requirements, such as suspending or revoking their license to practice medicine.
Additional Information
For more information on the reporting of infectious diseases in Texas, please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website.