NOTIFIABLE DISEASES

Health practitioners are required by Section 74 of the Health Act 1956 to report to the medical officer of health (MOH) any patient they have 'reasonable suspicion' is suffering from a notifiable disease (list of diseases). Notification allows for appropriate public health control measures to be taken to reduce the risk of further spread, for disease surveillance, and for monitoring of the effectiveness of control measures. 

Medical practitioners are also required to report to the local medical officer of health any patient suffering from poisoning or injury from hazardous substances (Section 143 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996) or from chemical contamination of the environment (Health Act 1956), such as pesticide poisoning. For information about Hazardous Substances Surveillance, visit the Environmental Health Indicators New Zealand website.

General diseases information Health Pathways Clinical pathways

Notifying Auckland Regional Public Health Service

The MoH website lists the diseases notifiable by health practitioners and laboratories to the Medical Officer of Health.

Notify the below on clinical suspicion, before laboratory confirmation:

• Measles - View resources
• Mumps - View resources
• Meningococcal disease (Neisseria meningitidis invasive disease)
• Pertussis (whooping cough) - View resources
• Rheumatic fever - View resources
  The Regional Rheumatic Fever Register supports the delivery of monthly benzathine penicillin to patients with ARF and rheumatic heart disease and is run by Paediatric ID at Starship Children's Hospital. Pediatrician Oversight - Elizabeth Wilson, Starship Children's Hospital; Administration - Robyn Buchanan, Starship Children's Hospital, 09 307 4949 ext. 22559
• Infectious pulmonary tuberculosis
• Acute gastroenteritis or food poisoning if:
• there are two or more cases linked to a common source, or
• the patient is at high risk of infecting others (e.g. they are a food handler, or healthcare or childcare worker),
• there is a single case of chemical, bacterial, or toxin food poisoning such as toxic shellfish poisoning or scombroid poisoning
• Outbreaks (two or more cases of any condition linked to a common source)
• Any emerging public health problem if you are concerned about it.
• Check the exclusion criteria and the clearance criteria for recommended periods of exclusion from work, school or preschool.