Connecticut State Department of Public Health

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Connecticut Epidemiologist Newsletter   •  October 2023 Supplemental Issue   •   Volume 43, No 7

Adding 'Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Hospitalizations and Deaths' to the List of Reportable Diseases, Emergency Illnesses and Health Conditions 

 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality particularly for young children, older adults, and persons with underlying health conditions. Seasonal respiratory viral illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV can be associated with severe outcomes, including hospitalizations and death. Having a mechanism in place to monitor trends in severe RSV disease is critical to guide public health messaging and decision making.

Effective October 1, 2023, pursuant to Section 19a-2a of the Connecticut General Statutes and Sections 19a-215 and 19a-36-A7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Manisha Juthani, MD, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) will amend the List of Reportable Diseases, Emergency Illnesses and Health Conditions to include RSV hospitalizations and deaths. COVID-19 and influenza hospitalizations and deaths are already reportable. Adding RSV hospitalizations and deaths to the list will provide a more comprehensive picture of severe respiratory viral outcomes.

Respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations and deaths shall be a Category 2 condition and must be reported electronically or by fax within 12 hours. The DPH Reportable Disease Confidential Case Report Form PD-23 shall be used to collect  initial information on cases where RSV is certified as the cause of death or a person is hospitalized with RSV. Completed PD-23 Case Report Forms may be reported by fax to (860) 920-3131.

A hospital infection preventionist entering a case in the Connecticut Electronic  Disease Surveillance System (CTEDSS) or reporting by electronic file also satisfies this reporting requirement and is the preferred method to receive these results. DPH will share the report with the local health department for the town where the case patient resides and will follow up with the provider as needed to collect additional information.

Healthcare providers can refer questions about RSV reporting to the DPH Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program at (860) 509-7994 or DPH.eeip@ct.gov. Questions related to electronic disease reporting may be directed to DPH.InformaticsLab@ct.gov.

This page last updated 10/06/2023.