The Michigan Public Health Code requires physicians, clinical laboratories, schools, childcare centers, and camps to report to the appropriate state and local health authorities the occurrence (or suspected occurrence) of certain diseases, conditions, or infections. West Nile viral diseases fall under this category of reportable diseases. The public health code states which diseases are reportable, reporting and surveillance requirements, disease investigation guidelines, immunization requirements, etc. WNV is a reportable condition as well as "Encephalitis, viral" and "Arboviruses" as listed under Michigan's Public Health Code section R 325.172. Suspect cases can be reported to local or state health agencies. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the case definition should be consulted before reporting occurs.

Be sure to include the following information:

· The patient's full name

· The patient's complete residential address including county and zip code.

· The patient's telephone number

· The patient's age or date of birth

· The patient's sex

· Name of disease, infection, or condition and date of onset if known

· The specific laboratory test performed, date performed, where performed, and test results

· The name and address of the reporting facility

Disease Reporting Rules in Michigan

West Nile Fever

A milder illness caused by WNV, called West Nile Fever (WNF) is currently reportable by local and state health agencies on a voluntary basis only. This includes those individuals with flu-like illness and no central nervous system signs (such as stiff neck, abnormal cerebral spinal fluid, mental status changes, paresis or paralysis) that have laboratory evidence of WNV infection. In an effort to document where transmission of this pathogen is occurring, the MDCH encourages the reporting of these individuals to local and state health agencies.

Reporting of adverse health effects of pesticide applications

Health care providers with patients who have experienced adverse health effects from WNV pesticide applications can report this by:

• Calling their local health department

• Reporting it to MDCH at 1-800-MI-TOXIC

The Public Health Code requires that health care providers report patients with suspected illness due to occupational exposure to pesticides to their local health department.  Information for health care providers regarding insecticide products used to prevent the spread of WNV, exposure risk, and signs and symptoms of overt poisoning can be found at: http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/westnile/education/2741.htm