Epidemiology and Surveillance - Public Health Region 1
Purpose
PHR 1 routinely collects data on communicable diseases and reports these data to the central office in Austin, Texas. Surveillance data are typically obtained through provider-initiated reports (passive surveillance) or health department-solicited reports (active surveillance). The collection of these data help describe the pattern of disease occurrence in an area and subsequently trigger disease control and prevention efforts. The activities of the Epidemiology and Surveillance section include:
- Collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of communicable disease data
- Disease investigation and assistance with disease control methods
Health Alerts, Advisories, and Publications
Publications:
To sign up for the Texas Public Health Information Network and receive alerts and updates from the Texas Department of State Health Services, go to the TX PHIN website.
The CDC Health Alert Network provides up-to-date information on health alerts and advisories about urgent public health incidents. To sign up for these notifications, go to the CDC HAN website.
View Texas Department of State Health Services News Releases.
Reporting Forms and FAQ
What is reportable?
All conditions listed on the notifiable conditions list must be reported. In addition to those conditions, any outbreaks, exotic diseases, and unusual expressions of disease must be reported.
All case reports should include name, age, sex, race/ethnicity, date of birth, address, telephone number, disease, date of onset, and method of diagnosis of the patient and name, address, and telephone number of the reporter. A laboratory report must accompany all reports of notifiable conditions in which a diagnosis is based on laboratory confirmation.
Current Notifiable Conditions lIST Report
Texas Notifiable Conditions List (PDF- 468kb)
Who is required to report a notifiable condition?
Healthcare providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and others are required to report patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition, as described in Chapter 97, Title 25, Texas Administrative Code and Health & Safety Code, Chapter 81.
When do I report a notifiable condition?
The notifiable condition list indicates when to report each condition. Cases or suspected cases of illness considered to be public health emergencies, outbreaks, exotic diseases, or unusual group expressions of disease must be reported to your local health department or DSHS HSR1 immediately. Other diseases that require a quick public health response must be reported within one working day. All other conditions should be reported to your local health department or DSHS HSR1 within one week.
Where do I report a notifiable condition?
View Contact information for your local health department and view contact information for DSHS HSR1.
Epidemiology Contact Information
PHR 1 Epidemiology Response Team Contact Information
| Name | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin McClaran | Program Manager | 806-783-6463 | Kevin.Mcclaran@dshs.texas.gov |
| Cindy Hernandez | ERT Epidemiologist III | 806-783-6448 | CynthiaA.Hernandez@dshs.texas.gov |
| Vacant | ERT Nurse | 806-783-6451 | |
| Elena Rodriguez | Public Health and Prevention Specialist II | 806-783-6461 | Elena.Rodriguez@dshs.texas.gov |
24/7 Emergency telephone number: (806) 778-7391
Email: PHR1.EpiReporting@dshs.texas.gov
FAX number: 806-783-6466
Physical/Mailing Address: 6302 Iola Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79424
What form do I use to report a notifiable condition?
Use the reporting forms provided below.
Disease FAQ and Education Materials
Disease FAQs
- Bed Bugs Fact Sheet (PDF-200k)
- Body Lice Fact Sheet (PDF-191k)
- Managing Head Lice | Texas DSHS
- Pubic Lice Fact Sheet (PDF-197k)
- Scabies Fact Sheet (PDF-196k)
Education Materials
- Hand Hygiene
- Cough Etiquette - Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings | CDC
Links
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- DSHS Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit
- DSHS Laboratory
- Texas Influenza Surveillance
- Healthcare-Associated Infections
- DSHS Public Health Preparedness – Public Health Emergency Preparedness | Texas DSHS
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (Bio-terrorism Information)
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
- Texas Poison Control Network
External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Department of State Health Services. These links may also not be accessible to persons with disabilities.
If you have comments or suggestions contact us at feedback.r01@dshs.texas.gov.