Reportable Diseases

What are reportable diseases?

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by an organism, such as a bacteria or virus. These diseases can spread to others. They are also known as contagious or communicable diseases. People can catch an infectious disease in many ways:

• Bites from animals, including insects.
• Eating contaminated foods.
• Touching contaminated environmental surfaces.  
• Contact with the infectious bodily fluids (e.g., blood, saliva, semen) of another person or animal.
• Some infections can also be spread through the air. This occurs when a sick person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Environmental disturbances from a severe weather event can also cause this.

What does it mean for a disease to be “reportable”?  

"Reportable" means that the disease is legally required to be reported to North Carolina state and local public health agencies. Examples of groups or entities that are required to report include:

• Physicians
• Laboratories
• School principals
• Child care operators
• Restaurant operators

Full list of NC’s reportable contagious diseases (Office of Administrative Hearings)

All private patient information is stored in a secure database. All data gathered is kept confidential under NC law.  

Why are certain diseases reportable?  

Some infections can cause serious illness or spread to many people within a community. These serious diseases must be reported by law to NCDHHS Division of Public Health (DPH). A timely public health response can then take place to ensure the disease is controlled. DPH works with local health departments to respond when these diseases are reported.  

State and local public health officials determine which diseases need to be reported based on several factors. This includes:

• How quickly the disease can spread  
• How much is already known about the disease
• How severe the disease is

Local and state public health departments track if case counts of a reportable disease are increasing or decreasing in North Carolina. They also track if certain groups of people or geographic areas are at higher risk for disease. This information can help public health departments control the spread of disease.  

What happens after a disease is reported?  

NCDHHS and local health departments work together to respond to reported infectious diseases. This helps to protect the health of people in North Carolina. Public health outreach may be done to support health and reduce the spread of the disease.  

Read more about Public Health Outreach.

Your name and personal information remain private when connected with a reportable disease. All information you provide is kept confidential under NC law. You will never be asked about your immigration status.