MPH 855 Principles In Epidemiology Homework 2 50 Points Tota

3mph 855 Principals In Epidemiologyhomework 2 50 Points Totalpleas

Assignment Instructions

Utilize the following list of communicable/infectious/exposure related conditions/diseases: a. STI (Gonorrhea) b. Hepatitis C State: Virginia c. HIV (adult) d. Tuberculosis. Provide a description of the reporting requirements from the State in which you practice and include all of the following elements for each disease (a-d):

  • The name of the State in which the reporting information was obtained
  • Case definition: include suspect, probable, and/or confirmed, if appropriate
  • Reporting criteria: time frame, method (e.g., phone, fax, electronic), and the agency to report to (e.g., local HD, State HD, CDC)
  • Major elements of the information required to be reported (categories or important information)
  • If a reporting form is available, attach a copy (not all diseases have a manual reporting form; some forms are used for multiple diseases, so include one and specify). Include a description of any standard follow-up information required after reporting. If none, state this explicitly.

Paper For Above instruction

The reporting requirements for infectious diseases such as Gonorrhea, Hepatitis C, HIV, and Tuberculosis are critical components of public health surveillance, allowing authorities to monitor disease trends, control outbreaks, and implement prevention strategies. This paper outlines the reporting procedures specific to Virginia, providing comprehensive details on case definitions, reporting criteria, information requirements, and follow-up protocols for each disease listed.

Gonorrhea (STI)

In Virginia, gonorrhea is classified as a reportable disease, with specific reporting guidelines designed to facilitate timely public health interventions. The case definition includes suspect, probable, and confirmed cases, with laboratory confirmation serving as the basis for diagnosis. A suspect case involves clinical symptoms suggestive of gonorrhea or epidemiological linkage; probable cases have supportive laboratory evidence such as Gram stain or nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT); confirmed cases are laboratory-confirmed, typically via culture or NAAT.

Reporting must occur within 24 hours of diagnosis, via electronic reporting systems mandated for healthcare providers and laboratories. Reports are submitted to the local health department (LHD), which coordinates with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The required reporting information includes patient demographics, laboratory results, sexual contacts, recent travel history, and clinical presentation.

Virginia utilizes a standardized case report form that consolidates all required data, which can be submitted electronically through the Virginia Electronic Disease Surveillance System (VEDSS). Follow-up investigations involve interviews to delineate transmission networks and identify contacts for treatment and testing. Standard follow-up reports are mandated until case resolution, including treatment confirmation and contact notification.

Hepatitis C

Virginia defines hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a reportable condition with specific case definitions. Both acute and chronic cases are reportable; however, the focus is primarily on chronic infections due to their asymptomatic nature. Confirmed cases have laboratory evidence of HCV RNA or anti-HCV antibodies, with additional clinical or epidemiological data as supportive evidence.

Reporting must be completed within 7 days of laboratory confirmation, primarily through electronic transmission to local health departments. The reporting criteria include patient identifiers, laboratory test results, risk factors, and clinical status.

The standard reporting form is available electronically via VEDSS, which consolidates case data for state surveillance. Standard follow-up procedures involve case investigations to identify risk factors, linkage to care, and prevention education. If follow-up is not mandated, this must be explicitly stated, but in Virginia, active follow-up is generally conducted.

HIV (Adult)

In Virginia, HIV infection is a reportable condition, with case definitions that include suspect, probable, and confirmed classifications based on laboratory criteria such as ELISA and Western blot tests, as well as clinical records. Confirmed cases require laboratory confirmation of HIV infection, while suspect cases may involve preliminary screening results awaiting confirmatory testing.

The reporting timeframe is within 7 days of diagnosis, with electronic reporting being the predominant method. Reports are sent via secure systems to the local and state health departments, including information on demographics, risk factors, clinical stage, and laboratory results.

Virginia mandates a detailed follow-up process involving case investigations that include partner notification, linkage to HIV care, and prevention education. The standard HIV case report form encompasses data such as CD4 counts, viral load, prevention services provided, and behavioral risk assessments.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a notifiable disease in Virginia, with precise case definitions for suspect, probable, and confirmed cases. Confirmed TB cases require microbiological confirmation via culture or nucleic acid amplification tests. Suspect cases involve clinical and radiological evidence suggestive of TB but lacking laboratory confirmation.

Reporting must occur within 48 hours of identification, predominantly via electronic systems linked to the Virginia TB control program. The required reporting data include patient demographics, clinical findings, laboratory results, radiographic findings, and contact investigations.

Follow-up involves comprehensive case management, including treatment monitoring, contact tracing, and public health interventions to prevent spread. Virginia uses a specific TB case report form that collects treatment details, patient adherence, and contact tracing data. No follow-up reports are routinely required after initial reporting unless there are changes in case status or treatment outcomes.

Conclusion

Effective disease surveillance depends on clear, timely, and complete reporting protocols. Virginia's disease-specific reporting systems for gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV, and tuberculosis exemplify adherence to public health principles, facilitating rapid response and containment efforts. Maintaining up-to-date and accessible reporting forms, along with active follow-up procedures, ensures robust disease control mechanisms critical for safeguarding public health.

References

  • Virginia Department of Health. (2023). Reportable Diseases. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/data/reportable-diseases/
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Surveillance for Gonorrhea. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/report.htm
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Hepatitis C Virus Infection. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/index.htm
  • Virginia Department of Health. (2023). HIV Surveillance Reports. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/hiv-infection/epidemiology-surveillance/
  • Virginia Department of Health. (2023). Tuberculosis Control Program. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/tb/tb-control-program/
  • World Health Organization. (2022). Guidelines on tuberculosis. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240037020
  • American Public Health Association. (2021). Infectious Disease Reporting Guidelines. https://www.apha.org/
  • National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). (2023). CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/nndss/index.html
  • Ralph, R. M., & Tillett, W. S. (2019). Laboratory diagnosis of hepatitis C. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, 39(2), 189-204.
  • Garcia, A. S., & Cohn, D. L. (2020). HIV/AIDS epidemiology and prevention. The Medical Clinics of North America, 104(3), 385-400.

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