The Division of Epidemiology - Disease Surveillance and Investigation coordinates with the School Health Nursing Program to monitor infectious diseases in District of Columbia schools. When a reportable communicable disease is confirmed or suspected among students, faculty, and staff members, a protocol is in place to monitor and minimize the spread of infectious diseases.
How to report a case?
For School and Child Development Facility Nurses and Staff
- Refer to the list of Notifiable Diseases in the District of Columbia to determine which illnesses are reportable
- Refer to the Communicable Disease Reference Guide for guidance by disease for when a child may be excluded from school, and what documentation is required for their return.
- Review the School Nurse Disease Surveillance and Reporting Protocol
- Refer to Considerations to Prevent the Transmission of Infectious Disease in Schools.
- Report any unusual number of cases (3 cases or more that occur within 7 days) of illness whether reportable or not
- Gastrointestinal line list template to keep track of case information for gastrointestinal illness
- Influenza line list template to keep track of case information for influenza
- Outbreak Tracking line list template to keep track of case information for all other illnesses
- Notifiable diseases should be reported using the Epidemiology Investigation Team (EIT) Portal
- Please contact us via phone at (202) 442-5865 during office hours or email us at [email protected] if you have any questions at any time
Note: Cases of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases should be reported to the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA).
For Parents or Guardians
- Please consult a health care provider if your child gets sick
- Report the illness to the school/child care center if your child is diagnosed with a disease
- Provide any available supporting documents (such as the return to school slip signed by a physician, discharge document or picture of the prescribed medication) to the school/child care center
- Keep your child at home when recommended to prevent the spread of illness
Other Helpful Resources
- View a complete list of disease fact sheets offered by the Division of Epidemiology- Disease Surveillance and Investigation.
- View tips and recommendations to help your children stay healthy
- View additional information about the School Health Nursing Program
Service Contact:
Center for Policy, Planning and Evaluation Division of Epidemiology- Disease Surveillance and Invest
Contact Email:
Contact Phone:
202-442-5865
Contact TTY:
711
Contact Suite #:
6th Floor
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4:45 pm
Service Location:
Health, Department of
GIS Address:
2201 Shannon Place SE
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Zip:
20020