General Disease Reporting
The Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention is responsible for the surveillance, control and prevention of reportable diseases and conditions in Montgomery County. Currently, over 70 diseases or conditions are reportable under Chapter 3 of the Montgomery County Public Health Code and PA Code, Title 28, Chapter 27. The Code stipulates that physicians, other health care practitioners, persons in charge of a hospital, laboratory, institution, school nurses and superintendents, or any person having knowledge or suspicion of a reportable disease/condition shall report this knowledge or suspicion promptly to the Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD) by phone, fax, secure email or by using Pennsylvania's National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (PA-NEDSS).
A team of Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) investigate reported diseases/conditions. During the case investigation, the DIS aims to identify all possible source(s) of infection and initiates public health action to reduce the spread of disease to close contacts or to the community at large. Disease control and prevention efforts are recommended or required as needed. Outbreak management and control is another important function and that is accomplished through analyzing disease trends by their time of occurrence, location, age, gender, race/ethnicity and reported risk factors and these trends are communicated to key stakeholders and public health partners as needed to reduce morbidity and mortality.
How and When to Report
Reportable Diseases and Conditions List
Includes timeframes for reporting
Statewide surveillance database that allows healthcare systems and laboratories to report diseases electronically
General Disease Report Form
Generic form to be used by healthcare providers to make a disease report if not currently reporting through PA-NEDSS or by phone
To make an IMMEDIATE notification to the Office of Public Health after hours (including evenings, weekends and holidays), please contact Montgomery County Police Radio at (610) 275-1222 and ask to speak to the person on-call for the Health Department.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The national agency to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
The state agency to reduce morbidity and mortality across the Commonwealth.
PADOH: Fact Sheets on Diseases and Conditions
Provides general, technical, and additional information for various diseases and conditions.
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
Data in the weekly MMWR are provisional, based on weekly reports to CDC by state health departments.
Provides information, based on scientific studies, disease surveillance, and best practices to assist travelers and their health-care providers in deciding the vaccines, medications, and other measures necessary to prevent illness and injury during international travel.
The PA Health Alert Network (PA-HAN)
Serves as a communication network among state and local public health agencies, healthcare providers, hospitals and emergency management officials.