Other links concerning Notifiable Conditions

• Local Health Jurisdictions

• Report a Notifiable Condition

• Reporting Forms

• Guidelines

• Disease Surveillance Data

• Glossary

• Legal Requirements

• EpiTrends

• Notifiable Conditions & the Health Care Provider (PDF, 645KB)

• Notifiable Conditions & the Hospital  (PDF, 529KB)

• Notifiable Conditions & the Laboratory  (PDF, 314KB)

• Notifiable Conditions & the Local Health Jurisdiction  (PDF, 117KB)

• Notifiable Conditions & the Veterinarian (PDF, 129KB)

• Communicable Disease Epidemiology

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Tetanus in Washington State
One case of tetanus was reported in 2005 in a middle-aged man and was attributed to a splinter injury during gardening.  Prior to this, the last case in Washington was reported in 2000.  Until 1965, one or more tetanus cases were reported in the state almost every year.

Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance

• To assist in the diagnosis of potential cases and facilitate prompt administration of tetanus immune globulin (TIG)
• To identify groups at risk for tetanus (due to under-immunization, occupation, drug use, etc.) and focus prevention efforts

Legal Reporting Requirements

• Health care providers: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction within 3 work days
• Hospitals: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction within 3 work days
• Laboratories: no requirements for reporting
• Local health jurisdictions: notifiable to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section (CDES) within 7 days of case investigation completion or summary information required within 21 days. 

Last update
June 2008