DOH Issues Advisory on New RSV and Varicella Reporting Requirements
On Dec. 20, 2023, the Department of Health (DOH) issued an advisory outlining new requirements for providers for reporting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and varicella.
From the advisory:
The purpose of this notification is to communicate new reporting requirements for [RSV] and varicella. Effective 12/20/2023, laboratory-confirmed RSV in persons of any age and deaths caused by laboratory-confirmed RSV in persons younger than 18 years and all varicella cases (not shingles/zoster) are included in the reportable communicable disease list in New York State (Section 2.1 of Title 10 New York Codes, Rules and Regulations)
. . .
The addition of laboratory-confirmed RSV in persons of any age and deaths caused by laboratory-confirmed RSV in persons younger than 18 years to the list of reportable conditions will result in more comprehensive and complete information on RSV activity, including being able to quickly detect where RSV is occurring, as well as specific strains that are circulating. The data will help anticipate hospital bed capacity challenges and help quantify the impact of newly approved RSV vaccines.
The addition of laboratory-confirmed and clinically diagnosed varicella to the list of reportable conditions will result in more comprehensive and complete information on varicella cases, including the ability to detect where varicella (not shingles/zoster) is occurring and to prevent spread in sensitive settings. The data will help to monitor trends, prevent disease transmission, and track the impact of vaccination over time.
. . .
Healthcare facilities licensed under Article 28 of New York State public health law are required to report single cases of facility-associated (e.g., transmission within the facility) reportable conditions (now including RSV and varicella) and increases over the facility’s baseline incidence of any disease. Reporting is required using existing mechanisms. Please contact the New York State Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control Program Central Office or the Regional Epidemiologist in the facility's region with reporting questions.
Contact: Amy Nelson, anelson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 146