In Washington

An outbreak is defined by CDC as an occurrence of cases of disease that is more than expected, or is clustered by time, space, or common behaviors.  Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-101 includes a number of responsibilities related to reporting outbreaks.  See "Reporting Requirements" below.

For more information regarding outbreaks associated with food, water, or known communicable diseases, please refer to the specific notifiable condition.

Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance

• To identify sources of transmission (e.g., a medical product or restaurant) and to prevent further transmission from such sources.
• To assure the adequate treatment of infected individuals in order to curtail infectiousness and prevent complications from infection.

Reporting Requirements

• All foodborne and waterborne outbreaks are immediately notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction by all reporting entities
• Health care providers:  Outbreaks or suspected outbreaks that are treated by a health care provider are notifiable to the local health jurisdiction.  These include, but are not limited to, suspected or confirmed outbreaks of chickenpox, influenza, viral meningitis, nosocomial infection suspected due to contaminated food products or devices, or environmentally related disease.   
• Health care facilities: Outbreaks or suspected outbreaks that occur or are treated in a health care facility are notifiable to the local health jurisdiction.  These include, but are not limited to, suspected or confirmed outbreaks of chickenpox, influenza, viral meningitis, nosocomial infection suspected due to contaminated food products or devices, or environmentally related disease. 
• Laboratories: see disease-specific requirements.

• Veterinarians:  Notify the local health officer of any suspected case or suspected outbreak of any disease that is transmissible from animals to humans, including anthrax, brucellosis, viral encephalitis, plague, rabies, psittacosis, tuberculosis, and tularemia.

• Child day care facilities:  Notify the local health department of outbreaks and suspected outbreaks of notifiable conditions that may be associated with the child day care facility.

• Schools:  Notify the local health department of outbreaks and suspected outbreaks of notifiable conditions that may be associated with the school.

• Local health jurisdictions: suspected or confirmed outbreaks are immediately notifiable to DOH, with case investigation completion or summary information required within 21 days.

Last guideline update
August 2007

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Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Office of Epidemiology
Washington State Department of Health
MS: K17-9, 1610 NE 150th St.
Shoreline, WA 98155-9701

Consultation and technical assistance are available to local health jurisdictions in Washington State:
Phone (206) 418-5500
FAX (206) 418-5515
24-hour contact (inside Washington State only)  1-877-539-4344

Washington residents can contact their local health jurisdictions for assistance

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