DOH Issues Advisory on Reporting Requirements for Respiratory Virus Season

(Oct. 3, 2025) The Department of Health (DOH) has issued an advisory in advance of the respiratory virus season to summarize influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention and reporting requirements for health care providers, clinical and limited-service laboratories, local health departments (LHDs), hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other public health stakeholders.

The Department conducts year-round surveillance for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, with enhanced surveillance and reporting from October through May. Reporting requirements may vary by virus type, setting, and provider type, and are detailed in the advisory.

Health Care Facility Outbreak Reporting

Hospitals and long-term care facilities must report all confirmed or suspected health care facility-associated influenza, COVID-19, and RSV outbreaks to the DOH Bureau of Healthcare Associated Infections (BHAI) via the Nosocomial Outbreak Reporting Application (NORA), an activity within the Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS) application located on the Health Commerce System (HCS).

Contact: Amy Nelson, anelson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 146