Boston Herald: Doctors soon must report 17 more illnesses to state

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Doctors soon must report 17 more illnesses to state

by Lasalandra

Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Doctors in Massachusetts will soon be required to report 17 additional illnesses, including influenza, Norwalk virus, smallpox and plague under new regulations adopted yesterday by the state Public Health Council.

The additions will bring to 75 the number of diseases or illnesses that must be reported to public health authorities.

Some, such as smallpox, are being added because of the threat of bioterrorism. There have been no smallpox cases reported since the disease was eradicated in 1980.

Others, such as influenza, are being added to the list to allow health officials to get a better handle on outbreaks, particularly those occurring in long-term care facilities.

Until now, state officials relied on a handful of ``sentinel'' physicians from around the state to report flu cases and they came up with estimates based on those reports.

In the cases of influenza and Norwalk virus, a gastrointestinal flu that has been seen in near-epidemic proportions this year, doctors will be required to report both confirmed and suspected cases.

The regulations, which will go into effect in about two weeks, also give the state commissioner of public health authority to require the immediate reporting of any emerging infectious disease that threatens the public health.

Although the new reporting requirements mean more work for doctors, Department of Public Health officials said none complained about it during public hearings.

Other illnesses that will now have to be reported include strep infections, hantavirus and viral hemorrhagic fevers.

Veterinarians will also be required to report any animal diseases that may be potentially infectious to humans.

Officials said they have been working to update the regulations for 2 1/2 years. The last time they were revised was 1992.

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