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Notifying cases of infectious diseases within Victoria
Information for medical practitioners and laboratories
Page content: Overview | Why Notify |Download document
Overview
Infectious diseases still occur frequently throughout the world, and constant vigilance is required to prevent the reappearance of diseases thought to have been conquered. Changes in lifestyle have also led to the emergence of new threats to public health from infection. Health authorities depend on medical practitioners and laboratories for information on the incidence of infectious diseases. Notification is vital in efforts to prevent or control the spread of infection.
Why Notify?
The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 requires that prescribed notifiable conditions are notified to the Department of Health by persons in charge of pathology services (laboratories) and medical practitioners (doctors). The prescribed notifiable conditions are listed in Schedule 4 of the Public Health & Wellbeing Regulations 2009.
The regulations state that doctors are required to notify the department of suspected and confirmed cases and laboratories are required to notify the department when a test indicates a person may have or has any notifiable condition.The information collected from doctors and laboratories is used to detect outbreaks and prevent further cases, monitor disease epidemiology, and implement interventions like immunisation to protect public health.
Timely notification from doctors often provides more comprehensive information - particularly on risk factors - and enables the department to identify sources of exposure and implement strategies to prevent further cases where appropriate. Laboratories provide important information such as confirmation of the diagnosis and sero/subtyping.Having both doctors and laboratories notify provides an important safety net for the capture of crucial data on prescribed conditions affecting the Victorian community.
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Notifying cases of infectious diseases in Victoria
Provides informaton on notifiable conditions and groups as well as your requirements to notify.
