Texas Preventable Disease News, Volume 46, Number 14, April 5, 1986 Page: BACK COVER

                                
TPDN 1986, Vol. 46, No. 14     NTSU    UfRARYr                           Page 4
duplicate reports so that they may be deleted. In addition, the data are
routinely reviewed by bureau personnel to assure their accuracy.
15. Q.   Should a death resulting from a "reportable disease" be reported as a
case?
A.   Yes. Any death resulting from a reportable disease should be reported as a
case; however, the death should also be noted as part of the report.
16. Q.   Should communicable or occupational diseases other than those included in
the law also be reported?
A:   If there is ever any  doubt about whether a communicable or occupational
disease should be reported, REPORT IT! It is not unusual for an epidemiolo-
gist to maintain surveillance on a disease even though there is no
requirement of notification. Examples of these communicable diseases fol-
lowed by our epidemiologists include Lyme disease, Vibrio infections other
than cholera, listeriosis, cryptosporidiosis, Kawasaki disease, and
leishmaniasis.
Reporting agents are also reminded that any unusual cluster of disease is
reportable.
11. Q.   What happens to all this information after it is reported?
A:   Once the data are received by the Bureau of Epidemiology in Austin, cases
are immediately entered into the computerized surveillance system. The
data are routinely reviewed by epidemiologists who look for any unusual
occurrences or clusters of disease, fluctuations in morbidity, seasonal
variations, and changes in disease distribution. A statistical summary of
the data is published monthly in Texas Preventable Disease News and yearly
in Reported Morbidity and Mortality in Texas - Annual Summary.              '
Nevertheless, the Bureau of Epidemiology requests that clusters or
outbreaks of disease be reported directly to the epidemiologists by calling
(512) 458-/328 or 1-800-252-8239 in addition to notifying the local health
authority.
TEXAS PREVENTABLE DISEASE NEWS (ISSN 8750-9474) is a free, weekly publication of the Texas Depart-
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