Child Care Health Program
Reportable Diseases
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What is a "Reportable Disease" and why do I need to report it to Public Health? |
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Child care providers are required to contact Public Health when a child in their care develops a "Reportable Disease". Most of these "Reportable Diseases" are communicable diseases, some of which are easily spread in child care programs. Public Health wants to know about these conditions so we can help keep other people from getting sick.
Click here for a list of reportable diseases that might be found in child care.
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A child in my program was just diagnosed with an infection with E. coli O157:H7, which is one of the “Reportable Diseases”. What will happen when I call Public Health to report it? |
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Public Health has a very knowledgeable, very helpful staff who will help you figure out if other children or staff at your program are at risk for getting shigella. They will go over:
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The symptoms of shigella (fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps) |
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How it is passed from one person to another (contact with the stool from someone who is infected) |
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How long the person was contagious (up to six weeks after symptoms start, unless the person is treated with antibiotics) |
In addition they can also help you figure out:
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How to prevent cases of shigella among other children and staff (handwashing, good diaper changing technique, disinfection of surfaces and toys) |
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How long the child must be excluded from child care (until two stool tests show that the shigella bacteria is gone) |
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If there are other children in the program who also have symptoms and should be checked by their doctor |
Public Health can also provide you with a letter that you can distribute to other parents at your program. This letter would include symptoms of shigella, and information about when to take a child to the doctor. The child who was ill would not be identified. Public Health is very serious about keeping the names of people reported to us private. Of course these resources (education, letters, factsheets, etc.) are available to you when you report any of the "Reportable Disease" to Public Health.
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How do I report a "Reportable Disease" to Public Health? |
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Call (206) 296-4774. You can also call this number for general questions on communicable disease, even if it is not a "Reportable Disease." You can also call the King County Childcare Health program for advice: 206-296-2770.
Visit the Health Health Advisories & Resources for detailed information on Reportable Diseases in King County.
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learn more
Plain Talk About Child Immunizations
Facts about  childhood immunization; vaccine preventable disease, vaccine safety, the immune system and how vaccines work, legal requirements, and more.
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Reportable Diseases in King County
 Health care providers, health care facilities, schools and child care programs are required to report communicable diseases to Public Health per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-101-101.
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