Connecticut State Department of Public Health

Reportable Infectious Diseases Reference Manual (RIDRM)

Follow-up Responsibilities


In Connecticut, disease follow-up can be the responsibility of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) staff, local health department (LHD) staff, or both. It can also include staff from other State agencies, and public health partners like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The following reflects the recommendations of the DPH Infectious Diseases Section regarding responsibility for the routine follow-up of reportable infectious diseases to obtain additional surveillance data and implement control measures.


LHD Primary Responsibilities

The LHD is responsible for completing state and/or CDC case report forms if indicated, and for assuring that appropriate control measures are being taken independently of any assistance from the DPH. The LHD has primary responsibility for obtaining surveillance data on diseases in the following list:

Joint Responsibilities

For some diseases, follow-up for both investigation and control are a joint responsibility between the LHD and DPH. In general:

The role of the LHD is to take the necessary action. The DPH may take necessary actions if the LHD does not have the resources.

The primary role of the DPH is to assure that appropriate investigation and control actions are taken for each case.

  • Foodborne and waterborne enteric diseases

    • DPH Epidemiology and Emerging Infections Program (EEIP) staff assures that appropriate diagnostic work has been done and interviews cases. LHDs implement control measures for cases in persons in high-risk occupations or settings, as appropriate.

  • Haemophilus influenzae disease and meningococcal disease

    • DPH staff assure that the appropriate diagnostic work has been done and works with LHD staff to assure that close contacts have been identified and referred to their primary care provider for prophylactic treatment.

  • Respiratory Viral Diseases (COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus)  

    • DPH staff conduct routine case surveillance. In an outbreak, DPH staff recommend diagnostic testing and infection prevention and control guidance for facilities, and LHD staff work with local partners to implement control measures.

  • Vaccine preventable diseases (chickenpox, measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, rubella, and diphtheria)

    • DPH Immunization Program staff assures that appropriate diagnostic work has been done, conducts case investigation, works with LHD staff to assure that contacts of each case have been identified and that appropriate recommendations for vaccination, exclusion, etc., have been made. More information on vaccine preventable diseases is also available from CDC.

  • Vector-borne Diseases

    • Vector-borne diseases are those transmitted by ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. Follow-up of vector-borne disease cases is conducted by DPH staff. LHD might have a role in vector control. Additional information about tick-borne and mosquito-borne diseases can be found on the DPH website. Information about mosquito surveillance is available from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. More information about vector-borne diseases is also available from CDC. 


DPH Primary Responsibilities

The DPH is responsible for obtaining additional case data for all other diseases on the list of Reportable Diseases, Emergency Illness, and Health Conditions. All diseases on the list are nationally reportable to the CDC, and some receive federal funding to enable follow-up specifically for surveillance purposes.

Assistance of the LHD may be required when concurrent initiation of control measures is needed, as could be the case in an outbreak.

Diseases for which DPH is primarily responsible include the following:

  • Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) – Contact (860) 509-7929

    • DPH staff assure that appropriate diagnostic work has been done. Reports for suspect AFM cases received by local health departments can be referred to the DPH Immunizations Program.

  • Bioterrorism

    • In a bioterrorism event, DPH will be in direct contact with local health departments about roles and responsibilities. Information concerning bioterrorism can be found in the Connecticut Public Health Emergency Response Plan.

  • Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistant Organisms – Contact (860) 509-7995

    • Healthcare-associated infections and surveillance for reportable antimicrobial resistant organisms are the responsibility of the DPH Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program (HAI-AR). DPH staff coordinate with LHDs that receive specific funding for HAI-AR related work, particularly in the setting of healthcare-associated outbreaks. Additional resources include:

  • Hepatitis B – Contact (860) 509-7994

    • DPH staff conduct follow-up on acute cases of hepatitis B and measures for prevention of perinatal hepatitis B transmission.

  • HIV – Contact (860) 509-7900

    • Newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection are required to be reported to the DPH HIV Surveillance Program. HIV infection is reportable only to DPH, not to local health departments.

  • Legionellosis – Contact (860) 509-7994

    • DPH EEIP staff follow-up on confirmed legionellosis cases associated with potential clusters to identify common sources of exposure. More information about legionellosis is available from DPH and CDC.

  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases – Contact (860) 509-7920

    • DPH STD Control Program staff conducts follow-up for syphilis and congenital syphilis cases and surveillance for chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. More information about sexually transmitted diseases is available from CDC.


Updated 5/5/2025

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