Requirements for Reporting of Communicable Diseases – N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 2101

Every physician must immediately give notice of every case of communicable disease to the health officer of the local health district where the disease occurs.  If there is no physician in attendance when the communicable disease is discovered, it is the responsibility of the superintendent or officer of the institution, hotel or lodging, or other person where the case occurs, to give notice of the case of disease to the health officer of the local health district where such disease occurs.

A list of diseases considered communicable can be found at N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 10, § 2.1.

Cases of sexually transmitted diseases, specifically gonorrhea, chlamydia trachomatis and syphilis must be reported in writing, with the patient’s initials given in lieu of the patient’s name.  The provider must keep a record of each case, along with the patient’s full name and address.