Other links concerning Notifiable Conditions

• Local Health Jurisdictions

• How to 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

• WEDSS (Washington Electronic Disease Surveillance System)

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West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus in the United States

West Nile Virus infection was first reported in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 during an outbreak in New York City and, since then has spread east to west across the United States.  During 1999 through 2007, over 27,000 human WNV infections resulting in over 1,000 deaths have been reported to local and state health departments.  Over 4,600 cases have been reported in Canada between 2002 and 2007.

West Nile virus is usually transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.  The virus also has been transmitted by blood transfusion, organ transplantation, intrauterine infection, and possibly breastfeeding.  Blood banks have been screening blood products for WNV infection since June 2003.

West Nile Virus in Washington State

Washington State conducts surveillance for WNV infections in humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and other animals.  The first detections of the virus in Washington occurred in 2002; the first locally acquired human infections were reported in 2006 from Pierce and Clark counties.

For current or historical  information on WNV in Washington State, please see the DOH West Nile Virus hompage.

Arboviral (arthropod-borne viral) Diseases, including West Nile virus (WNV) infections, must be reported to local health jurisdictions in Washington State.

Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance

• To identify areas in which West Nile Virus (WNV) is being transmitted.

• To target areas for public education about reducing mosquito habitats and preventing mosquito bites.

• To provide information for mosquito control and environmental health initiatives. 

Reporting Requirements

• Health care providers: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction within 3 working days.

• Hospitals: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction within 3 working days.

• Laboratories: isolation of WNV or detection of viral antibody or nucleic acid notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction in which within 2 working days.

• Local Health Jurisdictions: notifiable to DOH Communicable Disease Epidemiology within 7 calendar days of case investigation completion or summary information required within 21 calendar days.

• Veterinarians: Notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction or Washington State Department of Agriculture.

Last update
April 2008