Epidemiology & Communicable Disease
Epidemiology is medical science that involves the study of the incidence and distribution of diseases in large populations, and the conditions influencing the spread and severity of disease.
In Idaho, legal authority for regulations protecting the health of the people of Idaho is granted to the Board of Health and Welfare. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has adopted regulations that contain the official requirements governing the reporting, control, and prevention of reportable diseases and conditions. In short, this means that medical providers are legally required to report certain conditions to public health. These guidelines form the Idaho Reportable Disease List.
The intent of the Communicable Disease Program at SIPH is to investigate reports of diseases that are spread via the environment, people, or animals. During our confidential investigations, our goal is to ensure that each individual is educated about the disease and how to prevent the spread of the disease.
Health Alert Network (HAN)
The Idaho Health Alert Network is sponsored by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's (IDHW) Health Preparedness Program and was established under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Idaho HAN system is an automated system designed to rapidly deliver time-critical, health-related information to designated health partners. When a health threat is identified, IDHW sends an e-mail or fax message to district public health departments. District public health departments pass this information on through e-mail or fax to hospitals, clinics, physicians, and other appropriate health care providers. In addition, information on the HAN website summarizes the event and provides background and guidelines for public health staff and clinicians.
The Idaho HAN is now online and is undergoing a test phase. If you would like to register as a user of the HAN system and receive future health-related information, please go to the Idaho HAN website at the Idaho HAN website
Reporting a Case
Communicable Disease Report Line (208) 478-6303
Communicable Disease Fax Line (208) 233-1916
When to Report
Routine Reports (required within 3 workings days)
Phone, fax, or via electronic reporting system.
Immediate Reports / Emergency Notifications
During business hours: Phone or fax all reports.
After hours: State communications public health paging system (State Comm) at (800) 632-8000. A public health official will be notified.
1 Day Reports (Required within 1 working day)
During business hours: Phone, fax, or via electronic reporting system.
After hours: If the reporting period falls on a weekend or holiday, report to your public health district the next working day, or you may call State Comm as above.
What to Report
- Disease or condition reported
- Patient’s name, age, date of birth, sex, address (including city and county), phone number, and date of specimen collection, if applicable
- Physician’s name, address, and phone number
Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention Epidemiology Section 450 W. State St., 4th Floor, Boise, ID 83720 Phone: (208) 334-5939 Fax: (208) 332-7307
Idaho Bureau of Laboratories 2220 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise, ID 83712 Phone: (208) 334-2235 Fax: (208) 334-4067
For more information please visit: epi.idaho.gov
- Disease or condition reported
- Patient's name, age, gender, address (including city and county), phone
- Physician's name, address, phone