What types of diseases must be reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health?

In Illinois, the public health system places a significant emphasis on tracking and controlling infectious diseases due to their potential to spread rapidly and cause widespread illness within the community. Reporting infectious diseases is crucial for public health surveillance, outbreak investigation, and implementing control measures to prevent further transmission. The requirement for reporting includes diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, and hepatitis, which are known for their public health implications and require monitoring to manage their impact on the population.

Chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and cardiovascular diseases, while important areas of concern within public health, do not fall under the specific reporting requirements dictated by the Illinois Department of Public Health in the same way infectious diseases do. The focus on infectious diseases reflects the need for immediate public health intervention and tracking to protect community health and safety.