Notifiable disease
Notifiable Disease
A Notifiable Disease (pronunciation: noh-tuh-fahy-uh-buhl dih-zeez) is a medical term referring to a disease that is required by law to be reported to government authorities. The collation of information allows the authorities to monitor the disease, and provides early warning of possible outbreaks. In many cases, early detection can lead to preventive measures being taken to protect the community.
Etymology
The term "Notifiable Disease" is derived from the English words "notify" and "disease". "Notify" comes from the Latin word "notificare", which means to make known, and "disease" comes from the Old French "desaise", meaning lack of ease.
Related Terms
- Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
- Public Health: The science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.
- Infectious Disease: Diseases caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.
- Quarantine: A restriction on the movement of people and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of disease or pests.
Notifiable Diseases
In many countries, diseases such as Cholera, Tuberculosis, Rabies and HIV/AIDS are considered notifiable diseases. The list of notifiable diseases varies by country and by jurisdiction.
Reporting
Healthcare providers, including hospitals and laboratories, are typically required to report the diagnosis of a notifiable disease to the local or state health department. This information is then passed on to national and international health agencies, such as the World Health Organization.
Legal Implications
Failure to report a notifiable disease can result in legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. In some cases, health professionals may also be held liable for the spread of the disease if it is found that they failed to report it.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Notifiable disease
- Wikipedia's article - Notifiable disease
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