Communicable Diseases
Diseases that must be reported to the Health Department
How the Health Department investigates a disease
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The investigation of communicable diseases is necessary in order to determine the cause and the severity of an outbreak.
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Information associated with the cause can prevent and predict more outbreaks and gives health department officials time to ensure treatment in order to prevent more people from becoming ill.
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There are many communicable diseases and conditions.
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Communicable diseases can be spread from person to person and sometimes the illness can be a cycle or chronic condition.
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Some diseases are passed on by direct or indirect contact with infected persons or with their excretions.
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Most diseases are spread through contact or close proximity because the causative bacteria or viruses are airborne.
Reportable Diseases
The rules set forth by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in the Code of State Regulations (19 CSR 20) require notification to the local health authority (health department) upon first knowledge or suspicion of certain communicable diseases.
Required reporters (from 19 CSR 20)
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Public Health department, hospitals, physicians, nurses, clinics or other private or public institution providing diagnostic testing, screening, or care are required to report certain diseases.
What do you report?
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A case report or a CD-1 Report can be reported online by clicking here.
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Scan down this page to see the online link. Fill out the form as instructed on the second page.
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Any appropriate laboratory results, name and address of the reporter, treatment information for sexually transmitted diseases
Where do I report this information?
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The CD-1 report should be reported to the appropriate County Public Health Department of the patient.
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If the report is sent to the jurisdiction where the reporter resides and the patient resides in another county, the information will be routed to the correct Public Health department.
Forms used to report
Monitoring Diseases
The Franklin County Health Department monitors communicable diseases through the process of passive and active surveillance with assistance from local hospitals, physicians, nurses, schools, and licensed child care centers.
In general, passive and active systems are based on conditions that are reportable to the health jurisdiction and to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) that works closely with CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
You can find out more about diseases and conditions from the CDC. Knowledge of disease is the first step to prevention.
With surveillance we can obtain, collate, analyze and disseminate data received by our monitoring sites. The information helps give early indication of illness trends in our community and helps with outbreak identification.
If you would like to be set up as a surveillance site, please contact Tony Buel at the Health Dept. at (636) 583-7309 or 636-583-7300.
Statistics and Data
Statistics are maintained by the State of Missouri and the Center for Disease Control. Please use the links to access those sites.