Epidemiology & Disease Reporting

Information on Notifiable Conditions

Suspected, probable and confirmed notifiable conditions must be reported by physicians and health professionals to Collin County Health Care Services as mandated by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Physicians and/or medical providers can report notifiable conditions by calling Collin County Epidemiology and Surveillance at 972-548-4707 or by faxing their report to 972-548-4436.

Available Reporting Forms

Suspected Zika Reporting Form.pdf

EPI Reporting Form 2018.pdf

Varicella Reporting Form Collin County.pdf

Collin County COVID-19 Reporting Form.pdf

COVID-19 Recommendations and Guidance for Schools

Collin County Health Care Services COVID-19 Recommendations and Guidance for Schools

SINGLE CASE COVID-19 SCHOOL REPORT FORM.pdf

General Resources

Disease and Conditions (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Bioterrorism Agents and Diseases (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
Infectious Disease Control Unit (Texas Department of State Health Services)

Provider Resources - Quick Reference Guide(s)

Measles

Mumps

Rubella

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

Ebola

Rabies Information

Rabies is a preventable viral disease that mainly occurs in mammals. Humans can contract the rabies virus if bitten by an animal infected with rabies. In the U.S, rabies infection has been mostly present in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and bats. Domestic animals such as dogs and cats account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases. For more information concerning rabies, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Rabies Information.

Patients--How to Obtain Rabies Biologicals for Bite Victims

CCHCS does not provide pre-exposure rabies vaccinations to the public for travel purposes or for veterinary students/professionals.

If you are scratched, bitten, or have some other type of exposure to an animal you feel may have rabies, go to your nearest hospital emergency room immediately. Additionally, you will need to notify your primary care physician since a medical evaluation is required to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is appropriate in your situation.

If the injury was caused by an animal that can be located (dog or cat living in a neighborhood) it must be reported to the Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) and they will determine if and how the animal is quarantined (see Reporting Animal Bites and/or Exposure to Rabies below).

Please see the following for detailed instructions on obtaining rabies biologicals.

Obtaining Rabies Biologicals for Bite Victims.pdf

Health Care Providers--Obtaining Rabies Biologicals for Post exposure Prophylaxis

Health care providers are required to report animal bites and/or possible rabies exposure to the Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA). See the links under Reporting Animal Bites/Exposure to Rabies below.

If you are a health care provider needing to obtain rabies biologicals (PEP) for your patient, please contact our office at 972-548-4707 during normal business hours. If it is after hours, please call 972-547-5350. For after-hours calls, you will reach the Sheriff's dispatch office. Let them know you need to speak to the Epidemiology department about rabies. An on-call Epidemiology team member will be contacted.

Obtaining Rabies Biologicals for Bite Victims.pdf

Health Care Providers and Patients--Reporting Animal Bites and/or Exposure to Rabies

For questions about an animal's vaccination status, pet vaccinations, or to report a bite or rabies exposure incident, please contact the appropriate city/county's animal services (Local Rabies Control Authority) in the jurisdiction where the bite/exposure occurred:

City of Lowry Crossing

Any Unincorporated Areas (and within the City limits of the following cities: Anna, Blue Ridge, Celina, Fairview, Lavon, Lucas, Melissa, Nevada, New Hope, Princeton, Prosper)

Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Collin County collaborates with local cities to conduct surveillance activities for West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases such as Chikungunya, Zika and Dengue. Currently there are no locally acquired cases of Chikungunya, Zika or Dengue in Collin County. Mosquito bite prevention is the best way to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Please visit Zika in Texas to obtain additional information for the State of Texas. Zika is a virus that is primarily spread through mosquito bites. Transmission may also be spread from mother to child during pregnancy. The spread of the virus through blood transfusion and sexual contact have also been reported.

Most people infected with the virus generally display mild or no symptoms. Those that develop symptoms may display mild illness that can last several days or up to several weeks. The most common symptoms of the Zika virus are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Pregnant woman or woman that may become pregnant should be cautious in active Zika areas. The virus has been linked to the birth defect microcephaly, a condition where a baby's head is much smaller than expected and may cause developmental delays.

Most Zika cases in Texas are related to people infected through mosquito bites while traveling to areas where Zika is spreading. Travel guidance is available through the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Questions about testing for the Zika virus? Additional information is available on the CDC's Testing for the Zika Virus site and/or please visit: Zika in Texas for the most current information available on Zika testing procedures.

Please visit our West Nile Partners page to find more information about the activities of area cities and municipalities.

Arbovirus Activity Report

Mosquito Prevention and Education

Protect Yourself

Avoid mosquito bites

Wear long sleeves and long pants
Use insect repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Sexual transmission of Zika virus can occur

For individuals who have travelled to an area currently experiencing Zika virus transmission practice safe sex.

Protect Your Home

Remove standing water from your property
Repair any broken screens, windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside
Keep vegetation trimmed
Report dead birds your City Health Department (dead birds may indicate WNV is circulating)

Additional information related to mosquito prevention is available here.

Basic Information That You Can Read, Print and Share

Mosquito Bite prevention US.pdf

Helpful Links

Collin County Influenza Surveillance

Each year data concerning the number of flu cases seen in schools and physician offices is collected. Nasal swabs may be used to further investigate areas that are hardest hit by influenza-like illness. Early, mid, and late season specimens are examined. All of these surveillance activities help identify the changes that naturally occur among circulating influenza viruses.

Collin County Influenza Surveillance Reports

CDC Weekly Influenza Surveillance Reports

Texas DSHS Influenza Surveillance Information

Provider Reports for Influenza

Physician and Hospitals - Flu Weekly Report Form

Schools - Flu Weekly Report Form

Links & Resources

Influenza Information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Influenza Information (Texas Department of State Health Services)

National and International Surveillance Information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Texas Surveillance Information (Texas Department of State Health Services)