Health Department Expanding Types Of Communicable Diseases to be Reported 
New Reported Diseases Could Alert Arkansas of 
Bioterrorism Event

June 29, 2004

Little Rock - The Arkansas Department of Health is expanding reporting requirements in the diagnosis of notifiable communicable diseases. Members of the medical community are being advised to immediately report the following diseases (suspected or confirmed): Anthrax, Botulism, Hepatitis A, Meningococcal Infection, Pertussis, Plague, Q Fever, SARS, Smallpox, Tularemia, Typhus, and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers.

Some of these diseases are new and some have been reportable previously. All are to be prioritized for immediate reporting because they are of special importance or may indicate a bioterrorism event.

This expanded reporting is required of physicians, practitioners, nurses, superintendents in dispensaries, hospitals, clinics, nursing or extended care homes and laboratory personnel examining human specimens resulting in the diagnosis of suspect or confirmed diseases. 

Dr. Sandra Snow, director, Communicable Disease/Immunizations, said, “We are living in a different world as a result of September 11. We want to take a proactive stance with regard to disease reporting. We want healthcare professionals to realize the signs and symptoms of these communicable diseases and be constantly alert to their presence. While the likelihood of a bioterrrorism event in Arkansas is low, we want to be on guard and aware.”

The Arkansas State Board of Health adopted these revisions to the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Communicable Disease Control on April 22, 2004. The revisions are effective June 28, 2004.

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Instructions for Reporting Communicable Diseases to the Arkansas Department of Health

The “Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Communicable Disease Control” adopted by the Arkansas State Board of Health in 1977 pursuant to the authority conferred by Act 96 of 1913 (Arkansas statutes, 1947, Section 82-110) Section III, states “The responsibility for reporting certain communicable diseases is the duty of EVERY physician, practitioner, nurse, superintendent or manager of a dispensary, hospital, clinic, nursing or extended care home and laboratory personnel examining human specimens resulting in the diagnosis of notifiable diseases or any person in attendance on a case of any disease or conditions declared notifiable.”

The following diseases (suspected or confirmed) are to be reported immediately to the Arkansas Dept of Health. They are of special importance or may indicate a bioterrorism event.

To Report Diseases Immediately via Telephone,
Call 501-661-2893 (Local/Pulaski Co.—8:00-4:30, M-F)
After Hours and on Weekends, Please Call 1-800-554-5738

The following diseases of public health significance are to be reported to the Arkansas Department of Health within 24 hours of diagnosis. Reports should include: 1) the reporter’s name, location and phone number; 2) the name and onset date of the disease; 3) the patient’s name, address, phone number, age, sex and race; 4) the attending physician's name, location and phone number; 5) any pertinent clinical, laboratory, and treatment information. Report by Fax to 501-661-2428; 24 hr. answering machine 800-482-8888; in person to 501-661-2893.

The following bacterial isolates must be submitted to the State Health Department Laboratory for further testing: Neisseria meningitidis; Salmonella sp.; Enterotoxigenic E. coli; Listeria sp.; Staph. aureus, vancomycin resistant or intermediate susceptible; outbreak-related Campylobacter sp. and Shigella sp., or on request; Haemophilus influenzae(invasive).

To Report Diseases in the Second List Above, Please Call the Non-Emergency Disease Reporting System, at 1-800-482-8888 or Fax a Disease Report to 1-501-661-2428