Skip to main content

Reportable Diseases

What is a reportable disease?

State law requires reporting of certain diseases and situations to the appropriate local health department. This helps ensure that public health officials can act appropriately to protect the health of the public.

What about confidentiality (including HIPAA)?

Reporting of communicable diseases to the appropriate health department, as required by law, is permitted under HIPAA and providers are not required to obtain patient consent before sending information to the health department. All reports to the health department are confidential.

Anyone can report a disease to the health department, but most reports come from health care providers and laboratories, both of which are required to report certain diagnoses or lab results. Disease reports also come from schools, day cares, employers, and everyday citizens.

When should I report a disease?

Some diseases require immediate reporting and should be reported immediately to 385-468-8888, option #7. Diseases that are not immediately reportable should be reported within three working days of identification to 385-468-8888, option #6, faxed confidentially to 385-468-4234, or reported online.

What should my report say?

A disease report should include the patient's:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Date of symptom onset
  • Date of lab test
  • Treatment information
  • Any other relevant disease-specific information
A person typing on a laptop.

Confidentiality

All reports to the health department are confidential. Epidemiological data is ONLY used to prevent illness and death.

A close up of pink flowers.

Disease Information

Information regarding diseases and conditions we receive frequent inquiries about.

Learn More About Disease Information

Salt Lake County Health Department

Our mission at the Salt Lake County Health Department is to promote and protect the health of our community and environment. We work tirelessly every day to prevent illness, injury, and disease while addressing social, economic, and environmental factors that impact overall health. Our efforts include immunizing children, inspecting restaurants, preventing tobacco access to minors, encouraging physical activity and proper nutrition, protecting our water and air, providing culturally appropriate services, and collaborating with our community partners to ensure public health works for all residents of Salt Lake County, regardless of where they live.