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Rare diseases of public health significance are defined as diseases or conditions of
general public health concern not listed elsewhere which are not commonly diagnosed
in Washington residents.
Diseases and agents that should be reported
The 2011 revision of
WAC 246-101-010 states “‘Other rare diseases of public health significance’
means a disease or condition, of general or international public health concern,
which is occasionally or not ordinarily seen in the state of Washington including,
but not limited to, spotted fever rickettsiosis, babesiosis, tick paralysis,
anaplasmosis, and other tick borne diseases. This also includes public health
events of international concern and communicable diseases that would be of
general public concern if detected in Washington.”
Included are conditions requested for immediate reporting nationally in accordance with
International Health Regulations, which address reporting of any public health emergency of
international concern (infectious, chemical, biological, or radiological). Exposures may
be endemic or outside the state or country.
Conditions that should be reported through PHIMS to Communicable Disease
Epidemiology (CDE) as Rare Diseases of Public Health Significance include:
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African tick bite fever۸
- African sleeping sickness۸
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Amoebic meningitis
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Anaplasmosis
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Babesiosis*
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Burkholderia infection (Melioidosis or Glanders)
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Chagas disease
- Coccidioidomycosis*
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Cryptococcus gattii*
see:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/notify/nc/cgattii.htm
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Domoic acid poisoning*
see:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/notify/nc/sfpoison.htm
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Ehrlichiosis۸
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Histoplasmosis۸
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Monkeypox
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Paragonimiasis۸
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Prion disease*
see:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/notify/nc/prion.htm
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus disease (SARS)
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Smallpox
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Tickborne rickettsioses (including Rocky Mountain spotted fever)*
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Tick paralysis*
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Typhus
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Vaccinia transmission*
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Varicella death*
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Viral hemorrhagic fevers
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Highly antibiotic resistant organisms including vancomycin resistant S. aureus
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Any emerging condition with outbreak potential
* Indicates condition endemic to the state recently
identified in a Washington State resident
۸ Indicates condition not endemic to the state recently
identified in a Washington State resident
Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance
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To understand the epidemiology of emerging and uncommon diseases in Washington State residents and
to inform public health and health care about conditions that have been diagnosed in residents
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To assist in the diagnosis and treatment of cases
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If applicable, to identify potentially exposed close contacts, health care workers, and
laboratory personnel and to provide counseling
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To identify sources of transmission and to prevent further transmission
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To raise the index of suspicion of a possible bioterrorism event if no natural exposure source is identified
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care providers:
Burkholderia, emerging condition with outbreak potential, novel influenza, monkeypox, SARS, smallpox,
or viral hemorrhagic fever immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction, influenza-associated
death or varicella-associated death notifiable in 3 business days, other rare diseases notifiable in 24 hours
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Health care facilities:
Burkholderia, emerging condition with outbreak potential, novel influenza, monkeypox,
SARS, smallpox virus, or viral hemorrhagic fever agents immediately notifiable to
local health jurisdiction, influenza-associated death or varicella-associated death
notifiable in 3 business days, other rare diseases notifiable in 24 hours
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Laboratories:
Burkholderia, novel influenza virus, SARS-asociated coronavirus, or smallpox
immediately notifiable to the local health jurisdiction, other rare disease
agents notifiable in 24 hours
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Veterinarians:
Suspected human cases notifiable immediately to the local health jurisdiction;
animal cases of some conditions notifiable to Washington State Department of Agriculture (see:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=16-70).
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Local health jurisdictions:
emerging condition with outbreak potential, novel influenza, SARS, smallpox or viral
hemorrhagic fever immediately notifiable to the Washington State Department of
Health (DOH) Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE)
Last update
February 2011 |
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