ISMA e-Reports, January 8, 2007

Emergency rule requires reporting of flu deaths

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Executive Board has approved an emergency rule requiring physicians and hospitals to report laboratory-confirmed influenza deaths to the local health officer within 72 hours of first knowledge of death.

However, the change drops the requirement for laboratory confirmation of influenza for those cases diagnosed based on clinical presentation during an influenza pandemic. The ISDH Executive Board also approved amending the Communicable Disease Reporting Rule (401 IAC 1-2.3) to include the reporting of influenza deaths. The amendment is expected to be promulgated in early 2007.

State Form 52576 (02-06), (form to report influenza deaths) Influenza-Associated Deaths Case Investigation>> Local health departments should send completed forms to the ISDH.